How does the adoption process begin?
What is the homestudy report?
How long does an adoption take?
When does an adoption become legal?
How much does an adoption cost?
What about other adoption options?
Adult Adoption
Independent Adoption
Step-parent Adoption
Is there a Post-Adoption Program?
What are the Benefits of Open Adoption?
How does the adoption process begin?
If you are interested in adopting a child, the first thing to do is contact your local Social Services office. An Adoption Caseworker will arrange an appointment to discuss adoption options with you and help you determine which adoption programs you may wish to apply for. Once you have completed an application form, you will be registered on a provincial waiting list. Time on the waiting list will vary depending on a number of factors including the number of children available for adoption and the number of approved adoptive parents waiting.
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What is the homestudy report?
The homestudy report is a consolidation of information and insight from various sources on the ability of the applicants to parent an adopted child. The homestudy process involves a series of interviews between yourself and your adoption worker. The homestudy process gives you an opportunity to prepare for adoption and gives your worker a chance to get to know you. A homestudy usually takes three to six months and includes references, a physician's medical report and a criminal record check. To ensure homestudy reports reflect current information an update is required every two years.
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How long does an adoption take?
This is a difficult question to answer, because each adoption application is different. Factors which affect the waiting period include:
how open a relationship you are willing to have with birth parents;
the age of child and specific factors in the child's health, social background and current circumstances you are able to accept;
the number of children for whom adoption is being planned at any given time.
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When does an adoption become legal?
When the adoption order is signed by the judge, you become the child's legal parent. Typically, it takes no more than one year, from the time the child joins your family, for an adoption to become final. Generally, an infant adoption is finalized three to six months after the infant is placed in your home. When the adoption placement involves an older child there is a longer adjustment period. Once the child and the adoptive parents have had an opportunity to get to know one another, and feel comfortable with one another, an application is made to court for the final adoption order.
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How much does an adoption cost?
Social Services does not charge any registration or homestudy fees for a domestic adoption. There may be costs for certain documents: medical reports, criminal record checks as well as in-province travel.Intercountry adoptions involve greater costs including homestudy fees, document authentication, travel, etc. Other adoptions, including independent, step-parent and adult adoption, are generally handled by a lawyer and may include costs for an independent homestudy, legal fees, and the costs of documents and travel.
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What about other adoption options?
Adult Adoption
A person who is 18 years of age or older, may be adopted if he/she consents and the court considers the reason for the adoption acceptable. Adult adoptions are processed with the help of a lawyer.
The legal requirements for the following Independent Adoption and Step-Parent Adoption are governed by The Adoption Act 1998 and the accompanying regulations, The Adoption Regulations 2003.
The attachments are checklists of all the legal requirements in both types of adoptions. Adoption law directs all materials for both types of adoptions must be served to the local Regional Director of the Ministry of Social Services at least 30 days prior to an application made to the Court of Queen's Bench to obtain an Order of Adoption. The Ministry of Social Services reviews the materials for compliance with the legal requirements.
Independent Adoption
Birth parents may make arrangements with someone they know to adopt their child. A homestudy is conducted by an independent practitioner approved by Social Services. An independent adoption is usually processed through the court with the help of a lawyer. (Note: Legal Requirement checklist)
Step-parent Adoption
An individual may, with the consent of his or her spouse, apply to the court to adopt a child of that spouse if the child is either living with them or being cared for by them. Step-parent adoptions are processed with the help of a lawyer. (Note: Legal Requirement checklist)
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Is there a Post-Adoption Program?
The Saskatchewan Post-Adoption Registry was established in 1982. Since then it has handled hundreds of requests for information or contact from those involved in the adoption process. Services provided free-of-charge through the Post-Adoption Registry include: provision of non-identifying information, search and contact, passive registration, specific documents, and special search services. For more information, contact:
Post-Adoption Registry
1920 Broad Street
Regina, SK S4P 3V6
787-3654 or 1-800-667-7539
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What are the Benefits of Open Adoption?
Birth parents involved in planning adoption for their child want to be reassured the adoption plan they make is the best one possible. Increasingly, adoptive parents are appreciating the many benefits to the child when birth parents have an active role in choosing adoptive parents and there is the opportunity to develop a relationship and have some form of ongoing contact. Open adoption is about maintaining some communication between the child and the birth and adoptive parents. It is a way for the birth parents to tell their child that they are loved and will always be loved by their birth parents, as well as their adoptive parents.
Openness in adoption can also help assure birth parents they made a good decision in planning adoption for their child. Birth parents report it is helpful in resolving the feelings of grief and loss they experience. Receiving communication by letter, or in person, from the birth parent, can be reassuring to the adoptive parents. Many adoptive parents report that such contact puts them in a more confident position to answer a child's questions about their family of origin. Successful openness in adoption depends on matching adoptive parents and birth parents who are committed to the agreement they mutually negotiate.
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