Welcome a sweet new face into your family with a South Carolina adoption.
Adoption can be a rewarding and life-changing experience for South Carolina couples or other individuals wishing to bring a baby girl into their family. The process can also be intimidating, emotional and time-consuming since often families wait anxiously for news about an adoption opportunity. Knowing the state's regulations regarding adoption and what to expect when beginning the adoption process will allow couples to prepare their home for their new child rather than agonizing about unexpected procedures.
Instructions
South Carolina Domestic Adoption
1. Select an adoption agency or adoption lawyer to assist in the adoption process. South Carolina offers seven regional offices to assist with public agency domestic adoptions. For newborns and infants, six private agencies offer adoption services in South Carolina. Check with the South Carolina Academy of Adoption Attorneys for a list of adoption attorneys for hire.
2. Acquire the appropriate paperwork for the type of adoption you plan on pursuing. If adopting through the public child welfare system, complete an application for the South Carolina Council on Adoptable Children Family Register. You will fill out a questionnaire that allows families to comment about their family and include the types of children they are interested in adopting. This is where a baby girl can be requested. The South Carolina Council on Adoptable Children is a non-profit organization that helps in the matching process for prospective parents and their future children.
3. Instruct all household members 18 years and older to complete a South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) Fingerprints and a Department of Social Services Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry release. These background checks are essential to maintain the safety and well being of the child to be adopted as they report any previous child abuse or criminal charges on record. The Child Abuse Registry form can be aquired at https://dss.sc.gov/content/library/forms/files/3072.pdf. The SLED Criminal Record form can be found at http://www.sled.state.sc.us/sled/default.asp?Category=CATCH_SSN&Service=crc.
4. For public adoptions through the public welfare system, complete 14 hours of preparatory training to evaluate the types of children that would best match your family. Training courses are available through your Department of Social Services regional office. For a complete list of regional offices by county, visit https://dss.sc.gov/content/about/counties/index.asp. For private domestic adoptions, your adoption agency may also offer affordable adoptive parent training courses.
5. Take the necessary steps to ensure your home is fire safe, sanitary and in good enough condition to pass inspections by the South Carolina Fire Marshal and Department of Health and Environmental Control. Contact the departments to schedule appointments for these inspections.
6. Complete a Home Study, which is a required evaluation of the prospective adoption family, home and surroundings. The Home Study includes numerous visits to the by adoption specialists, including interviews for pre-placement investigations. The only time a Home Study might be waived is in the adoption of a close, blood relative. Home Studies must be completed by an individual who has been certified by the South Carolina Department of Social Services, often these are licensed Social Workers. Your adoption agency or local Social Services Office can help you locate a licensed Home Study professional.
7. Prepare the required documentation, including references, copies of birth certificates, marriage licenses and divorce petitions and decrees, where applicable. The divorce decree is the divorce court's formal order setting forth the terms and conditions that apply in the termination of your marriage, including the court's instructions on property division, child support, alimony, visitation and custody.
8. Have all family members complete a full medical examination. It is important that any conditions or illnesses that could potentially affect the ability of the adoption family to care for the child are disclosed.
9. When you receive notice of a potential match, arrange for visitations with the child to see if she is a good fit for the family. Once agreed, placement procedures can proceed. This period can take up to 12 months before the adoption is finalized in Family Court.
Tags: South Carolina, Home Study, Social Services, adoption agency, Department Social, Department Social Services, Adoptable Children