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.
In Ohio, adoption is governed by state statutes that outline the legal process by which an individual or a couple becomes the legal parent(s) of a child who is not their biological offspring. The process involves terminating the parental rights of the child's biological parents and establishing those rights with the adoptive parents. This is typically facilitated through the court system. Ohio law requires that adoptive parents meet certain eligibility criteria, such as being an adult over the age of 18 and having the ability to provide a stable and loving home. The process includes a home study to evaluate the suitability of the adoptive home, background checks, and sometimes post-placement assessments to ensure the child's well-being. The adoption is finalized in court, where a judge issues a decree of adoption, legally establishing the adoptive parent or parents as the child's legal parent(s). The child's birth certificate is then amended to reflect the adoptive parent(s) as the child's legal parent(s). It's important for prospective adoptive parents in Ohio to work with an attorney who specializes in adoption law to navigate the complex legal process.