Adoption

What it means

A court process that creates a permanent legal parent-child relationship. After adoption, the adopting parent has all the rights and responsibilities of a biological parent and the adopted person becomes the legal child for inheritance, support, and other purposes. New York recognizes several kinds of adoption. Agency adoption goes through a state-licensed agency or county social services. Private placement adoption is arranged directly by the birth parents and adopting parents. Stepparent adoption lets a stepparent become a legal parent without ending the other biological parent's relationship in some cases. Adult adoption creates a parent-child relationship between adults. Foster-care adoption follows a TPR or surrender of parental rights. New York requires a home study, a background check, and a court hearing before finalization. The Surrogate's Court or Family Court issues the order of adoption. The adopted person can request access to original birth records under DRL Article 7.

When you might hear this

Adoption is the legal process that creates a permanent parent-child relationship between people who are not biologically related. New York adoptions are finalized in Surrogate's Court or Family Court.

What to ask