Step-parent adoption allows a stepparent to gain legal recognition as a child's parent, providing practical benefits like shared names, medical decision-making, and school involvement. While most step-parent adoptions are straightforward, complications may arise if the biological parent objects or has rights to the child. The process involves consulting an attorney, obtaining consent from the biological parent if necessary, submitting legal forms, attending a hearing, and receiving a final adoption order and updated birth certificate.

We can help finalize your adoption once a child is placed with you through foster care or a private agency. In Virginia, the process begins after six months of physical custody, with legal pleadings filed and a finalization taking about four months. The total cost is typically around $1900, with potential subsidies for special needs children, and the process includes legal filings, an agency investigation, and obtaining a new birth certificate.

Re-adoption may be necessary for children adopted internationally to ensure U.S. citizenship, change the child's name, amend their birth date, or guarantee inheritance and school benefits. The process typically costs around $1900 in Virginia and takes about four months, though the cost and requirements may vary depending on the specific situation. Even if re-adoption is not required, it is often recommended to protect the adoption legally and for practical purposes like obtaining a U.S. birth certificate and social security number.

The federal Adoption Tax Credit helps cover qualifying adoption expenses, including fees, court costs, travel, and more, with the amount increasing annually for inflation. Many large employers also offer adoption assistance, which may be excluded from taxable income. Additionally, adopting a special needs child or one from foster care may qualify for a lower cost and a monthly adoption subsidy for services like medical care and education.

Private adoption is a process where a child is adopted directly from the birth parents, often facilitated by an adoption agency or attorney, rather than through the foster care system. It allows birth parents to select adoptive parents and create an adoption plan, with the goal of providing a stable, loving home for the child. This type of adoption offers more privacy and flexibility in terms of contact and arrangements between the birth parents and the adoptive family.