The information on this web site does not constitute legal advice. The law is constantly changing, and we make no warranty of the accuracy of information on this site or any site to which we link. After the completion of the adoption process, the adopting parents have the same rights, duties and responsibilities to the child as the birth-parents would have had.
Some general rules apply to adoption proceedings.
However, if the adopting persons are married, both the husband and wife must join in the petition unless they have been separated for over a year. A child who is over the age of fourteen years must agree to being adopted. When the adoption is ready to be finalized, the lawyer will present the proper documents to the judge, who will enter a judgment of adoption. In most cases neither the parents nor the children need to be present at that time. After completion of the adoption, a new birth certificate is normally issued for the child.