What does Adoption Finalization Mean in Florida?

By Connor Shelton

Adoption finalization is something of a light at the end of a dark tunnel. You’ve gone through the shock of an unplanned pregnancy and the feeling of unpreparedness to raise the child, the struggle of finding adoption agencies in Florida, and have likely settled on Adoption Choices of Florida. Now, it’s almost over. Here’s what you need to know about the adoption finalization process.

The Florida Adoption Process

If you are pregnant and considering adoption, the first thing you’ll want to consider is where to go. You want to make sure you feel comfortable with your decisions so that you and your unborn child receive the best outcome possible.

The first step is to contact us and schedule a meeting to map out your pregnancy options. Our primary goal as a Florida adoption agency is to provide a home for your child. However, we are also here to go over all the options, including raising the child, terminating the pregnancy, or giving up a baby for adoption

Assuming you believe that adoption is the best choice for you and your child, the next step is to create your adoption plan. This includes choosing an adoptive family for your child, the specifics of what and don’t want during your stay at the hospital (come birth), and determining what kind of contact you’d like to have with your child and their adoptive family. 

Once you’ve completed these steps, all you have to do is wait for your child’s birth and finalize their adoption.

Adoption Finalization

As looming and ominous as this term might sound, adoption finalization is simply the process of giving your final consent through the signage of legal documents. These documents will not be given to you until after your child’s birth, so you have plenty of time to consider the specifics of your already established adoption plan. However, once you have signed these documents, the child will go to the adoptive parents, and there will be little chance of regaining custody.

What are the Requirements for Adoption Finalization Within Florida? 

For adoption to be legally finalized, you must follow all state adoption laws. Additionally, each adoption must meet the following criteria at the minimum.

Termination of Parental Rights

Parental rights must be legally terminated at the time of finalization. Before your child can be adopted into a new family, both you must give your consent to the adoption. This is a legal requirement that must be met to terminate your parental rights.

Interstate Convention on Child Placement (ICPC) Clearance

Regardless of whether your child crosses state boundaries for adoption, the validation of ICPC regulations occurs during the finalization hearing. This result is that your child is placed in a safe environment through ICPC. Additionally, ICPC acts as a check and balance system that ensures your child’s adoption is legal.

Post-placement

Requirements for post-placement contact vary by state. The adoptive family usually receives up to six visits after the placement. Additionally, a home study social worker will have post-placement visits for the adoptive family to continue the home study.

Other Steps in Adoption Finalization?

As already discussed, finalization has to do with the transfer of legal custody to your child’s adoptive parents. To enact this transfer, the court will take care of legalities and ensure that your child will go to a loving home. This might sound daunting, but remember that our adoption specialists are here to help you understand the legal process.

Here are some procedures that happen in court to ensure finalization:

• Before starting any legalities, the adoptive family swear in.
• For details of the adoption, the judge will review the adoption process itself. 
• The adoptive parents are questioned on their intentions for adoption.
• Both you and the adoptive parents will sign the adoption decree to certify the finalization. 

Why Should I Choose Adoption Choices of Florida?

Though the adoption finalization process might seem overwhelming, you are in control of your adoption plan. No amount of legal procedure and paperwork will take that away from you.

If you are a pregnant woman in Florida considering adoption and have any questions or concerns about the adoption process. For more information on adoption, visit us at Adoption Choices of Florida or call us at: (833) 352-3678 or text us at 904-559-1251