What is Adoption?
Adoption in Oklahoma is a legal process in which an individual or couple takes on the role of a legal parent for a child who is not their biological child. The process of adoption creates a new parent-child relationship and terminates the legal rights of the child's biological parents.
Adoptions in Oklahoma may be open or closed, depending on the agreement between the adoptive parents and the biological parents. In an open adoption, the adoptive parents and the biological parents may have ongoing contact and communication, while in a closed adoption, there is no direct contact between the two parties.
To adopt a child in Oklahoma, the adoptive parents must meet certain eligibility requirements and complete the following steps:
Who can adopt in Oklahoma?
In Oklahoma, individuals who meet the following criteria are eligible to adopt a child:
However, he eligibility requirements for adopting a child in Oklahoma may vary depending on the type of adoption being pursued.
What if one parent objects to the adoption?
In Oklahoma, a parent's objection to an adoption can make the process more difficult, but it is not impossible. To adopt a child over a parent's objection, the adoptive parents must meet the eligibility requirements for adoption in Oklahoma and follow the appropriate legal procedures.
Generally, in order for an adoption to proceed over a parent's objection, the following conditions must be met:
Grounds you can request the Court to allow the adoption over the parent's objections are:
Adoption in Oklahoma is a legal process in which an individual or couple takes on the role of a legal parent for a child who is not their biological child. The process of adoption creates a new parent-child relationship and terminates the legal rights of the child's biological parents.
Adoptions in Oklahoma may be open or closed, depending on the agreement between the adoptive parents and the biological parents. In an open adoption, the adoptive parents and the biological parents may have ongoing contact and communication, while in a closed adoption, there is no direct contact between the two parties.
To adopt a child in Oklahoma, the adoptive parents must meet certain eligibility requirements and complete the following steps:
- Obtain a home study: A home study is a review of the adoptive parents' background, lifestyle, and home environment.
- Identify a child to adopt: The adoptive parents may adopt a child through a public or private adoption agency, through an independent adoption, or through a foreign adoption.
- File a petition for adoption: The adoptive parents must file a petition for adoption in the appropriate Oklahoma court.
- Attend a hearing: The adoptive parents must attend a hearing in court to finalize the adoption.
- Obtain a final decree of adoption: Once the adoption has been approved by the court, the adoptive parents will receive a final decree of adoption, which legally establishes the new parent-child relationship.
Who can adopt in Oklahoma?
In Oklahoma, individuals who meet the following criteria are eligible to adopt a child:
- Age: Adoptive parents must be at least 18 years old.
- Residency: Adoptive parents must be residents of Oklahoma, or must have been residents of Oklahoma for at least six months before filing the adoption petition.
- Marital status: Married couples and single individuals are eligible to adopt in Oklahoma.
- Sexual orientation: Oklahoma law does not discriminate based on sexual orientation.
- Income: Adoptive parents must have the financial resources to support a child.
- Background: Adoptive parents must undergo a background check, which includes a criminal history check, to ensure that they are suitable to raise a child.
However, he eligibility requirements for adopting a child in Oklahoma may vary depending on the type of adoption being pursued.
What if one parent objects to the adoption?
In Oklahoma, a parent's objection to an adoption can make the process more difficult, but it is not impossible. To adopt a child over a parent's objection, the adoptive parents must meet the eligibility requirements for adoption in Oklahoma and follow the appropriate legal procedures.
Generally, in order for an adoption to proceed over a parent's objection, the following conditions must be met:
- Termination of parental rights: The parental rights of one or both biological parents must be terminated by a court in order for the adoption to proceed. This can occur if the parent(s) voluntarily surrender their rights, or if the court determines that the parent(s) are unfit to parent the child.
- Best interests of the child: The court must determine that the adoption is in the best interests of the child. This consideration includes the child's physical, emotional, and mental well-being, and the stability and security of the adoptive family.
- Adequate notice: The biological parent(s) must be given adequate notice of the adoption proceedings and the opportunity to be heard in court.
Grounds you can request the Court to allow the adoption over the parent's objections are:
- Abandonment: If a parent has abandoned the child for six months or more, the court may terminate their parental rights.
- Neglect or abuse: If a parent has neglected or abused the child, the court may terminate their parental rights.
- Unfitness: If a parent is deemed to be unfit due to drug or alcohol abuse, mental illness, or other reasons, the court may terminate their parental rights.
- Voluntary surrender: A parent may voluntarily surrender their parental rights, which would allow the adoption to proceed over their objection.
- Failure to maintain contact: If a parent has failed to maintain contact with the child for a significant period of time, the court may terminate their parental rights.