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Adoption Lawyer

Florida rules for adoption vary depending on the type of adoption.

Stepparent Adoption

Florida law has a simplified process to expedite stepparent adoption cases such as a waiver of the time and expense for a home study. Stepparent adoption secures the stepparent’s legal rights to raise the child as his or her own child.

Relative adoption

If you desire to adopt a grandchild, niece, nephew, or other close family member, relative adoptions bypass some of the lengthy Florida adoption requirements.

Same-sex adoption

Florida permits same-sex marriages and adoptions. Some lesbian couples have opted to use sperm donor banks and benefited from Florida’s expedited process for these types of adoptions. Other same-sex couples have used birth mothers, chosen an adoptive child or have listed themselves as available adoptive parents for a birth parent to choose.

Newborn and infant (domestic)

There are additional requirements in Florida for newborn adoptions that must be adhered to for a valid adoption.

Foster Children Adoption

There are many children whose parental rights have been terminated and are in need of a forever family.

Interstate Adoption

If you reside in Florida and desire to adopt a child from another state, or if you reside in another state and desire to terminate parental rights of biological parents who reside in the state of Florida, specific requirements set forth in the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children must be met.

International Adoption

To adopt a child from another country, the adoption lawyer must honor the termination of parental rights and adoption rules of the sending country in order to finalize the adoption in Florida.

KWG Family Legal & Mediation

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Adoption Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

What types of adoptions are there?

  1. Entity adoption- an adoption by a governmental agency
  2. Private adoption- an adoption by an attorney or home study provider
  3. Stepparent adoption
  4. Close relative adoption
  5. Adult adoption

How long is the adoption process?

Depending on the type of adoption, the average length of time it takes for the adoption to be completed is 3 months to one year.

Do both biological parents have to consent to the adoption?

An adoption may occur without the consent of the biological parents if their rights were terminated, the child is an adult, or the parents abandoned the child.

What is a close relative adoption?

A close relative adoption is when a person adopting a child is either the grandparent, uncle, aunt, or sibling of the child.

What are the requirements to adopt a child in Florida?

  1. You have to be an adult.
  2. You can be single or married.
  3. You can be heterosexual or homosexual.
  4. Anyone in the household 12 years or older must undergo a criminal background check.
  5. A home study is required unless it is a close relative or stepparent adoption.

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