my partners daughter is 5 years old,her fathers name was never put on the birth certificate it was left as unknown for personal reasons,how would i go about adopting her?
2007-05-11 11:30:14 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Adoption
If you are married ...That makes it much more easier
2007-05-11 11:34:13 · answer #1 · answered by ? 1 · 8⤊ 1⤋
We have been through this in the UK so have some experience!
I suggest speaking to a solicitor in the first instance, who will then arrange for the various different organisations involved, which include social services. For us it took 2 and half years to go through however her natural father was 'sort of ' in the picture which made things a little more complicated.
Somethings you need to know:-
- It takes a long time
- It will be stressful
- Although your girlfriend is her mother she also adopts. Parental responsibility is given to a guardian while the adoption is processed, and you both adopt her. Technically while going through, your girlfriend, isn't legally responsible, the guardian is
- You and your girlfriend will be interviewed extensively by social services and questions about your view on discipline, how you would react if she took drugs and attitude to sex before marriage (that sort of thing)
- You need to explain the reason for wanting to adopt
- The little girl will be questioned as well
- Your request will stronger if you are married
- The law changes regularly! While we were going through it, the legislation regarding parental responsibility with regards to the father changed three times!
- When it all goes through, it can be a bit of an anticlimax. There is no big ceremony at the end
- It is worth it!
Take it from me, it is hard work and if solicitors get involved, especially if the natural father contest it, it will be expensive, but ultimatley, it will be worth it.
Your names will be on her marriage certificate when she gets married, you can give permission if she needs medical care (did you know you technically can't give permission, only her mother at the moment? However, if this were to happen, no hospital wouldn't operate if required)
Good luck, if you need more information, please let me know
2007-05-11 11:49:21 · answer #2 · answered by Enid B 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋
First you need to talk to a solicitor that specialises in Family Law and Adoption, then social services will do a check and try to locate the father, when thats done a report will be made to the court, a report is also done by the court officer for records, and if everything is in order the court will issue an order for adoption. You will need to be married before you can do this though. This is for Scottish law though, Im not sure where you are at, so this is only what happens here.
Good luck
2007-05-11 11:46:09 · answer #3 · answered by Mas 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
You will need to check the laws in your state. If there is some man out there that can come forward in the future and claim paternity, you need to know this. He will have to willingly give up paternity of this little girl first. Likely, he would do that with the child support hanging over his head for the next 15 years and 5 years of back support. Then you would go through the adoption process. Good luck. You sound like a great Dad. That little girl is very lucky (and her Mom is, too!)
2007-05-12 06:10:17 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call a lawyer that specializes in private adoption. They will meet with you, take care of all the paperwork and set a court date. Then you just go to court and raise your right hand. You can even apply for a new birth certificate with your last name if you choose to do so. Good luck-you are sweet!
2007-05-13 11:58:51 · answer #5 · answered by twinsmama06 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contact an adoption attorney. Look up AAAA Attorneys, which stands for the American Academy of Adoption Attornies. Find one in your area. You'll have to check with your attorney to find out whether or not you need to marry first before adopting, but one thing I'm sure of is they will have to find the father and have him terminate his parental rights before you will be able to adopt.
2007-05-11 16:46:01 · answer #6 · answered by greensock 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are in the UK, I am of the understanding that you can only adopt as a couple, so although she is the natural mother, she would need to become the adoptive mother and you'd then be the adoptive father.
2007-05-15 11:05:56 · answer #7 · answered by Princess415 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to your local county clerk and talk to them. In Michigan you have to be married to adopt the child of your partner. My husband adopted my daughter and we had to wait to get married for that to happen. Hope that helps
2007-05-11 11:40:14 · answer #8 · answered by ? 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If your married it's a lot easier. Go to court, get a lawyer and fill out some paperwork. It might take you 6 months or more to do that though. Check with a lawyer.
2007-05-11 17:27:53 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just adopted my grand daughter in Ga.every state ,county have different laws .absent father and daughter signed her rights away and we put it in the paper for the father to answer ,he didn't went to court 2 months later and the judge signed the papers in his chambers. I think you should try marriage first ,just my opinion.
2007-05-12 11:52:36 · answer #10 · answered by 45lbs2lose 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You would need to be married first before a judge will allow it. You need to show that you legally are in the family for a certain amount of time and then seek an adoption attorney to have your name put on the birth certificate.
2007-05-11 14:23:48 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋