Are you interested in adopting a child? Are you ready to move forward with this process? If so, you should learn more about what to expect along the way.
Every state has regulations in place that require a background check of prospective adoptive parents. With this approach, adoption agencies can learn more about a person’s past, such as if he or she has ever been charged with a crime.
Some of the many things that a background check will focus on include:
— Criminal record check.
— Check for a history of child abuse and neglect.
— Criminal record check of any relative guardian or adult living in the home of the person who wants to adopt a child.
From where you sit, you may feel that this is a bit much. However, keep one thing in mind: Adoption agencies need to do whatever is in the best interest of the child. The last thing they want is to put a child in a bad situation, such as with a person who has a history of abuse.
Note: Although your background check may not be 100 percent clean, you may still be able to adopt a child. Depending on the circumstances, you’ll probably be required to provide additional information.
By now, you probably understand that there is more to adopting a child than meets the eye. This is why you should learn as much as possible about the process, as this will put you in position to move forward in an efficient manner. Furthermore, you can consult with a legal professional that knows what the process entails and how to make all the right decisions.
Source: Child Welfare Information Gateway, “Background Checks for Prospective Foster, Adoptive, and Kinship Caregivers,” accessed April 07, 2017