In Florida, many relatives have taken over the responsibility for raising another family member’s child. The adoption process varies depending on your family relationship to the child.
Relative Adoption – In Florida, the adoption process qualifies as a relative adoption if YOU are the child’s sibling, aunt/uncle, or great grandparent. A relative adoption process will be a less expensive, streamlined process.
If you’re more distantly related, the adoption process will be similar to an identified adoption.
One of our adoption specialists will help you evaluate the facts of your situation at no charge.
Some of the benefits and features of the relative adoption process include:
You’ll become the legal parent(s) of the child. You (and your spouse, if married) will have the sole right to make all major decisions for the child.
The child becomes your legal heir with all rights and privileges and subject to all obligations as if the child were born to you.
During the adoption process you have the option of changing the child’s name.
At the end of the adoption, a new birth certificate will be issued, listing you and your spouse as the child’s birth parents. The new birth certificate will show the child’s new name, if one was chosen, and it will include the child’s original date of birth.
Relative adoption procedures allow for expedited processing of adoption papers to quickly finalize the adoption. In some cases, the adoption hearing may be held immediately after filing the adoption petition. We will evaluate your adoption and advise whether you qualify for an expedited adoption process. There is no charge for this evaluation.
An adoption agency home study is not required for a relative adoption.
You may not need the birth parent’s consent to complete the adoption. One of our specialists will evaluate your circumstances and advise you on this issue at no charge.
With more than 30 years of relative adoption experience, our board-certified adoption experts can walk you through the process of adopting a related child in Florida. If you decide to move forward, we can make it happen for you.
