Adoptions KEVIN W
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Obtaining Information About Adoptions KEVIN W. DUNN COUNTY OFFICES MEDINA COUNTY Probate Court PROBATE COURT JUDGE 93 Public Square, Room 102 Medina, Ohio 44256 (330) 725-9703 Job and Family Services ADOPTIONS 232 Northland Drive ADOPTIONS Medina, Ohio 44256 (330) 722-9283 JUDGE KEVIN W. DUNN Medina County Bar Association MEDINA COUNTY PROBATE COURT 93 Public Square JUDGE Medina, Ohio 44256 (330) 725-9744 (for referral to an attorney who specializes Dear Friend— in adoption law) My policy is to fulfill the Probate Court PRIVATE AGENCIES duties efficiently and effectively. If you Private Adoption Agencies have any questions or you need more (licensed by the State of Ohio) information on a Probation Court STATE AGENCIES matter, please contact my office. Bureau of Vital Statistics We are here to serve you. I hope your Ohio Department of Health experience in my court is helpful and 246 North High Street informative. P.O. Box 15098 Medina County Probate Court Columbus, Ohio 43215-0098 Judge Kevin W. Dunn 93 Public Square Ohio Putative Father Registry Medina County Probate Court Medina, OH 44256 255 East Main Street, Third Floor Columbus, Ohio 43215 Phone: (330) 725-9703 Ohio Department of Human Services Monday—Friday 255 East Main Street 8:00 AM—4:30 PM Columbus, Ohio 43215 Check your telephone book if an address or telephone number is not listed above. ABOUT THIS PAMPHLET FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS This publication is designed as service to the public to provide an understanding of the duties and procedures of Who May Adopt? Must I Have an Attorney? 1. A husband and wife jointly Yes, only an attorney or agency may arrange an the Probate Court in Ohio in reference to adoptions. This 2. Step-parent adoption. However, in the case of a step-parent pamphlet should not be considered a legal reference. 3. Single adult adoption, check with your local Court to determine if an attorney is required. Who May Be Adopted? TYPES OF ADOPTIONS 1. Minor Child Must I Appear in Court? 2. An adult person determined to be totally and Yes. It is mandatory, whether adopting through an Agency: When an agency licensed by the State of Ohio permanently disabled or mentally retarded. agency, or independently, that the person adopting originates and handles the adoption process, Probate Court 3. An adult may adopt another adult provided a parent and the child or children sought to be adopted appear involvement is limited to the final stages of the adoption. It is -child relationship existed during the adoptee’s before the Probate Court for the final hearing. In the agency who approves the placement, conducts the home minority. certain circumstances, there may be other appearances study, and recommends the adoption to the Court. Adoption required. Any exceptions can only be granted by the agencies have trained, professional staff, and use legal counsel Who Must Consent? Court for good cause shown. to insure that adoptions are legally, effectively, and efficiently The parents of the child to be adopted, a minor being handled. adopted who is over the age of 12 years, and an adult Access to Adoption Files adoptee must consent to adoption. However, under Adoption files are confidential, and closed to the In this instance, a licensed Independent Adoption: certain circumstances, consent may be waived. public. The adoptee or adopting parents, however, may adoption agency is not involved. It is generally handled by a Therefore, questions concerning consent should be obtain the following information: private attorney working directly with the Court. On occasion, directed to an agency or attorney. 1. Medical/Information: Generally, all adoption the child may be related to persons seeking to adopt, such as a records are open for the purpose of obtaining the grandchild, niece, nephew, etc. Other times, there is no What Are the Rights of an Unwed Father? medical background of biological parents. The relationship between the child to be adopted and those An unwed father, known as a putative father, may Court or agency involved in the adoption should be adopting. preserve his rights to consent to an adoption of a child contacted for that information. born after January 1, 1997, by registering with the Ohio Step-parent: The person seeking to adopt is either a step- 2. Identifying Information—Biological Department of Human Services, Putative Father father or step-mother. The parent whose right is being Parents: Prior to 1964: Copies of the original Registry. Registration must occur either prior to birth, or terminated must consent unless his or her consent is not birth certificate may be obtained from the State no later than thirty days after birth. As to the rights of a required. Bureau of Vital Statistics. putative father prior to January 1, 1997, contact an 1964-1996: Adoption records for this period are Interstate Adoptions: Where a child is born in one state agency or attorney. closed. Identifying information will be released only and the adopting parents are residents of another state, both Registry Address: Ohio Putative Father Registry if the biological parent(s), or an adult sibling, has States' Departments of Human Services must be involved 255 East Main St., 3rd Floor • Columbus, OH 43215 signed a Release of Information. through the Interstate Compact. The Probate Court will Where Should I File for an Adoption? 1996 to date: Since 9-18-96, adoption records are supervise these proceedings. open unless the biological parent(s) have requested Since the Probate Court has exclusive jurisdiction over that identifying information be withheld. The State Foreign Adoptions: If an Ohio family adopts a child Adoptions, you are required to file in the Probate Court Bureau of Vital Statistics should be contacted. born in another country, the adoption is considered a Foreign of the County where anyone of the following apply: Address: Bureau of Vital Statistics, Ohio Adoption. Adoption may occur in the country of birth or in 1. The Agency having custody of the child is located. Department of Health 246 N. High St., P.O. Box Ohio. All foreign adoptions must be processed through the 2. The child was born. 15098 Columbus, OH 43215-0098 U.S. Department of Immigration and Naturalization. 3. The person or persons seeking to adopt reside. 4. The person is stationed in Military Service. Is the Birth Certificate Changed? What is an Open Adoption? 5. In an independent placement: where the natural As an alternative to a traditional closed adoption where Yes. The original birth certificate will be sealed and a parent resides. new birth certificate issued. The adopting parent or identities are not disclosed, an open adoption occurs when both the natural and adopting parents, prior to the adoption, Is a Home Study Necessary? parents will be reflected on the birth certificate, just as though they had been the biological parents. voluntarily disclose their identities to each other. Open Yes. Regardless of the type of adoption, a home study is Adopted children born in Ohio or a foreign country, adoption law applies only to non-relative adoptions, and may required. An individual known as an assessor, who is receive their new birth certificate from the Bureau of involve a non-binding agreement for contact between the qualified and trained for the task, will complete the Vital Statistics, Columbus, Ohio. Children adopted in adopted child and the natural parent(s). However, all home study. parental control of the adopted child remains with the Ohio, but born in other states, obtain their new birth adopting parents. certificates from the Bureau of Vital Statistics in the For more information on open adoptions, contact an agency state where they were born. or attorney. .