Adoption

 

In New Jersey, the adoption process involves several steps. First, you need to apply to become the child’s adoptive parents. Then, you need to go through the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP&P) and gain state approval to adopt a child. After that, you need to match with a child and obtain all involved parties’ consent, such as the biological parent, foster home, or any other party involved. Once you have obtained consent, you need to file a petition for adoption and undergo a home study and background check. You also need to obtain the consent of the biological parent and terminate their rights. Finally, you can finalize the adoption.

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To adopt a child in New Jersey, you must be 18 years of age or older, have adequate housing for a child, be healthy enough to raise a child, pass a background check, and participate in training.

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The home study process is an essential part of the adoption process in New Jersey. It includes a 27-hour training period and a home visit. After the home study, you will need to submit your employment, schooling, childcare, and medical reference information.

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The birth mother must wait at least 72 hours after the birth of their child to give consent for adoption. However once the consent papers are signed, the decision can’t reversed. The adoptive parents must go to court to complete the adoption process.

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Open Adoption
In New Jersey, open adoption is a process where the biological parent(s) and adoptive parent(s) agree to share identifying information and have ongoing contact with each other after the adoption is finalized 1. The process of open adoption is similar to that of a closed adoption, but the biological parent(s) and adoptive parent(s) agree to maintain contact with each other after the adoption is finalized.

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While an open adoption is a legal option, it is not currently legally enforceable in New Jersey. In other words, while adoptive parents may agree to permit some form of contact between the child and the birth parents, they are not legally bound by these promises, even if made in writing.

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Open adoption can look different for different families, but the goal of an open adoption in New Jersey is to create communication between the biological parent(s), the adoptive parent(s), and the child. Post-placement contact with adoption can be an emotional subject, but an open adoption encourages all involved parties to maintain some level of communication and contact. There are benefits to open adoption for both the biological parent(s) and the adoptive family. A few of those benefits include:

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• The chance for a biological parent to watch their child grow up, flourish, and succeed.

• Access to shared medical information, including the biological parents' family medical history.

• The opportunity to connect over the years, whether this is on a regular basis or for special family events.

 

There are also some potential drawbacks to open adoption, such as:

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• The possibility of boundary issues between the biological and adoptive families.

• The potential for the birth parent to feel like they are not fully letting go of their child.

• The possibility of the adoptive family feeling like they are not the sole parents of the child.

 

It’s important to weigh the pros and cons of open adoption carefully before making a decision.

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