Adoption In Oklahoma

Adoption is the legal process by which a new, permanent parent-child relationship is established. Once an adoption is finalized, the adoptive parents have all of the rights and responsibilities of a legal parent, and the child has all of the rights of a child born into the family.

People whishing to pursue an adoption have two basic options: (1) domestic; and (2) international. These adoptions can either be through an agency or independent of an agency, and adoption law differs from state to state and from country to country.

In order for the adoptive parents to be awarded parental rights to a child in Oklahoma, the Court must first determine that the biological parents have either voluntarily relinquished their parental rights, or that a Court has terminated those rights. The prospective adoptive parents will be required to undergo a home study, an FBI fingerprint check, State criminal background check pursuant to the Sex Offenders Registration Act, and a search of the child abuse and neglect files of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services.

There are very particular requirements and procedures that must be followed in all adoption cases, therefore, it is important to seek the advice of legal counsel before proceeding with an adoption.

If you have questions about Adoption, please contact us to schedule an appointment for a consultation.