Adopting a child in New York can take up to a year and a half.
Adopting a child in New York State is a process that can take up to one-and-a-half years. The New York State Adoption Service (NYSAS) requires an adoption application, a homestudy, adoption agency training, a period of supervision and a post-adoption review. Because the adoption process is so lengthy, people who are looking to adopt should prepare themselves for a rigorous waiting period and a deeply emotional personal experience
Adoption Agency
People who are looking to adopt in New York can choose from more than 130 public, private and voluntary adoption agencies. Public and private agencies represent children in the social-services system. Voluntary agencies represent children who are not in the system.
Fees
While agencies that sponsor children who are in the social services system do not charge fees, voluntary agencies base their fees on the income of the prospective parents.
Application
The extensive adoption application includes personal and financial information, the parent's preference as to a child's age, ethnicity or personal and emotional needs, and an extensive background screening, including a child abuse and criminal background check.
Homestudy
The adoption agency sponsoring the child completes a rigorous series of home visits, interviews and a family screening. Families should be prepared for a deeply revealing and emotional experience, as nearly every aspect of their life is revealed to the caseworker assigned to them. The homestudy typically occurs about four months after the initial adoption application is processed.
Parent Training
The adoption agency assigned to the prospective family provides parent training to prepare the family for the process of bringing the adopted child into the home. Training includes fully explaining the adoption process, helping families decide if adoption is right for them and determining the kind of child that is right for the family.
Visiting and Supervision
Prospective parents are able to visit with the foster child over a series of months to acquaint themselves and achieve a level of trust with the child. Initially, the visitation period is brief and then progresses to more extensive visits. After the visiting period is complete, the family undergoes a supervision period. The supervision period lasts for about three months, and the adoption is not considered official until the agency determines that the prospective parents and the child are ready to legalize the adoption.
Final Steps
To finalize the adoption, an adoption attorney must petition the New York court system. Once the court approves the petition and the adoption is finalized, parents take sole legal responsibility for the child.
New York Adoption Laws
New York adoption laws state that either single parents or both parents of a child must consent to an adoption. In the event that one or both parents relinquish their parental rights, their consent is not needed. Children 14 years of age or older and adoption agencies that are the legal custodians of a child also have the right to consent an adoption. Parents have 45 days to revoke their consent. Parents, guardians, relatives and authorized agencies may place children for adoption.
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