In Ohio, adoptions are done through public children services agencies, licensed private agencies, or independent adoption providers. Independent providers are often lawyers, physicians, or clergy. Agencies and independent providers must follow the procedures of their county probate courts, where adoptions are finalized.
Probate courts have discretion in establishing acceptable adoption procedures.
Additionally, public and private agencies must follow the regulations of the Ohio Department of Human Services. Licensed agencies can accept custody of a child for the purpose of placing the child in an adoptive home. Such arrangements come through voluntary surrenders, in which the birth parents voluntarily transfer their parental rights to the agency. Public agencies usually receive custody of children through juvenile court commitments. Independent providers accept a consent to adopt, whereby birth parents do not transfer custody to a third party, but rather the child is placed directly into the home of the prospective adoptive parents.