Adoption in Delaware
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Contemplating adoption can be overwhelming when there are so many options available. In Delaware you may adopt and infant domestically, an infant or older child through an international adoption, or an older or special needs child through foster care.
Who May Adopt
First and foremost, you need to know if you are eligible to adopt. If you are over the age of 21, have no criminal charges regarding children and have the financial means and space in your home to support a child, you will most likely be eligible to adopt in Delaware.
Delaware Adoption Home Study
A home study is a procedure you will go through regardless of the type of adoption you decide to pursue. This procedure allows the agency to help you decide what child would be the best fit for your family. While the questions are very personal, and may seem nosy, they are necessary to give your adoption the best chance of success. There will be questions about your financial status, employment history, your marriage (if applicable), your health as well as criminal background checks and fingerprinting.
Delaware Older Child Or Special Needs Adoption
The least costly, and possibly the shortest wait for adoption, is to adopt an older or special needs child. In Delaware children from foster care are placed for adoption by the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services. These are children who are in foster care for a variety of reasons. Some children may have physical or emotional disabilities, others may be an older child with no disabilities but their age has made it harder for them to be adopted, children from a racial minority and lastly sibling groups that need to be adopted together.
Pre-adoption classes are required for older child adoption. The classes help you to understand the needs of the children in foster care and how to effectively deal with them.
Delaware Infant Adoption
Adopting an infant in Delaware requires an adoption agency or an attorney for both the birth parents and the adopting parents. When choosing an attorney, be sure to use an attorney who is skilled in adoptions.
If you are unable to care for your child, and unable to make an adoption plan, you may leave your newborn (age 28 days or younger) with a member of hospital staff or a physician.
Delaware International Adoption
When adopting internationally there is a large age range of children available. There are some factors to consider since each country has its own laws. Some countries limit the age of people that are allowed to adopt, and others do not allow adoptions of younger children. This will help you determine the country that you are interested in adopting from, and will also help determine which agencies you should use. Be sure to choose an agency who has experience in adoptions from that country.
Delaware Adoption Registry
Delaware allows an adopted adult age 21 or older to obtain their original birth certificate. However, if the birth parent has put a refusal in writing in the prior 3 years, the request will not be granted. Delaware also has a mutual consent registry allowing both the adoptee and the birth parents to register their desire for reunification. If both parties are in agreement, contact information will be provided, but the registry will not do the search for you.
