Adoption is a legal process in which an adult person assumes responsibility for the care and support of another person (usually a child) who is not the adoptive parent's biological child. The laws governing adoption of children in the United States are state laws, and vary from state to state.
In Oklahoma, adoption is governed by state statutes that outline the legal process by which an individual or couple can become the legal parents of a child who is not their biological offspring. The process involves terminating the parental rights of the child's biological parents and establishing a new, permanent legal relationship between the adoptive parents and the child. Oklahoma law requires that prospective adoptive parents go through a home study process, obtain necessary consents, and receive court approval for the adoption to be finalized. The state has specific provisions for different types of adoption, including agency adoptions, independent adoptions, and international adoptions. Additionally, Oklahoma recognizes the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), which provides special procedures and considerations for the adoption of Native American children. An attorney specializing in family law can provide guidance through the complex legal process of adoption in Oklahoma.