Oklahoma Adoption Law: What You Need To Know?

This article summarizes:

• Laws and Qualifications for a variety of circumstances pertaining to adoption.
• What an adoption attorney does for you in the adoption process.
• Why having an adoption attorney could be invaluable for you.

What Are The General Laws And Qualifications For Adopting A Child In Oklahoma?

The State of Oklahoma generally has very reasonable laws surrounding adoption. The main criteria that you need to meet are that you:

• Cannot have child welfare history;
• Cannot be a felon or moral turpitude;
• Cannot have any involvement with child abuse of any kind.

If you are married to someone with a child and intend on adopting their child, you must be married for at least one year to qualify for waiver of home study.

If you are looking to adopt outright, as in adopting a child that is not related to you by blood or marriage you will have to have a third party observe you with the child – a home study. They are usually mandatory. In addition to home studies, you must undergo background checks, including federal, state, and child abuse networks background checks.

If the child you want to adopt is a Native American, you must involve the child’s tribe. This applies even if the adoption is a stepparent adoption. Tribe involvement includes notifying the tribe of the adoption and having an expert testify to whether or not active efforts have been accomplished for an Indian child. This can be a somewhat involved process, but generally includes proactively taking measures to include the Indian parent you would be adopting the child from, namely through things such as:

• Bringing the child to visit with that parent;
• Helping that other parent in other ways with even simple things like including that parent in the child’s life;

Once the expert deems this sufficient, they will inform Oklahoma courts that the Indian Tribal Court has deemed this phase of the process completed.

What Is The Role Of The Adoption Attorney And Why Do We Need One From Either Side?

Adoption attorneys help the parties maneuver through the process making sure every part of the Ad0ption Code O.S. 10 § 7500, is complied with.

Why Is It Important To Have An Adoption Attorney To Walk A Family Through The Stepchild Adoption or Adoption By A Relative Process?

For the same reasons above, having an attorney assist in the adoption process will ensure it is done accurately.

For more information on Adoption Law in Oklahoma, a free initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (918) 890-0881 today.