The State of Georgia requires that an Adoptive Parent be at least 25 years of age or is married and living with his/her spouse or is at least 21 years of age and is a relative of the child. 

Once the Adoption Petition is filed, finalization cannot be before forty-five (45) days from the date of filing.  If Parental Rights have been terminated previously, the Adoption can be finalized before 45 days.  This is one of the reasons it is important to hire an Attorney who specializes in Adoption to ensure your Attorney knows the ins and outs of Adoption law so that you can finalize as soon as possible.

Once families finally arrive back in the United States after completing their adoption abroad, families usually want to wait until a later date to complete the “Readoption” or “Domestication of a Foreign Adoption” process.   This inclination is to save that for a later day, but please do not give into that desire.  Although you might be emotionally exhausted, now is the time to go ahead and file the “Readoption” or “Domestication of a Foreign Adoption.”  Why? Because you have ALL of the documents you need at your disposal.  It is easy for important and necessary documents to disappear over time.  This usually requires the Attorney to spend more time to reassemble all of the documents needed, which in turn causes Attorneys Fees to increase. 

Not every case will need for the Adoption to file the “Readoption” or “Domestication of a Foreign Adoption.”    Contact Carrie for a free consultation to determine if you do or do not need to file a “Readoption” or “Domestication of a Foreign Adoption.” 

For a Domestic Adoption please bring with you the following if applicable: Birth Certificate of child(ren) to be adopted; Marriage Certificate of Adoptive Parents; Home Study with an Original Signature; ICPC 100A and 100B if applicable; a form of Government Identification for each Adoptive Parent.

For DFCS Adoptions please bring with you the following if applicable: Marriage Certificate of Adoptive Parents; a form of Government Identification for each Adoptive Parent; and contact information for DFCS Caseworker.

For International Adoptions please bring with you the following if applicable: a complete copy of your Dossier; Original Birth Certificate of child(ren) to be adopted; Marriage Certificate of Adoptive Parents; Home Study with an Original Signature; all Immigration Documents from Country of Origin and United States Immigration documents and a form of Government Identification for each Adoptive Parent.