Adoption is an option for many couples and families to grow their families. Because adoption is a legal process, it can be helpful for prospective parents and families to understand the adoption process and the legal requirements for adoption in Texas. Adoptive parents can be married or single but must meet certain requirements.
Requirements for adoption in Texas include that the prospective parent must be 21 or older, financially stable and are responsible mature adults; complete an adoption application; provide information concerning their lifestyle and background; provide both relative references and non-relative references; show proof of marriage or divorce records when necessary; agree to a home study and visits with each of the members of the household; permit a criminal history background check and an abuse or neglect check for any adult residing in the household; and attend training concerning issues abused and neglected children face.
There are different adoption processes including agency adoptions or private adoptions, among others. Step parent adoptions are another type of adoption, however, step parent adoption may have a different application than other types of adoption. Options also include closed or open adoptions. Open adoptions allow for biological parents of the child being adopted and adoptive parents to exchange information if they choose to do so. Closed adoptions, on the other hand, provide that the biological parents of the child being adopted and the adoptive parents will not know each other’s identities.
There is a lot to know about the adoption process and a number of different options for different families and different situations. Understanding how to navigate the adoption process can help guide families to the adoption option that is best for their family and circumstances.
Source: Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, “Requirements for Foster/Adopt Families,” Accessed May 31, 2016
