A brief guide to Alabama adoption Any single person or couple who wishes to adopt a minor child in the state of Alabama must be aware of all the laws related. Alabama adoptions come in four different forms: • Private adoptions concern a private agreement between a birth parent and an adopting parent or couple. This type of Alabama adoption is best supervised by a lawyer who is experienced in the documentation. Once a document relinquishing the custody of a child is signed, the person who signs it has 14 days to revoke it. After this time, Alabama adoptions of this type almost certainly cannot be undone. It should be noted that parents who relinquish the right to their children must make a decision as to whether or not this minor child can learn more about them as an adult. When giving up a child for Alabama adoption, you may decide to make all information about you available on request, such as your name and address. Alternately, you may choose to only have medical history and similar, non-identifying information available. • In agency adoptions, parents give custody of a child to an agency that works with the state to find a new home. When performing this type of Alabama adoption, an agency will generally have a lawyer on hand to supervise all aspects of the procedure. • Public adoptions involve transferring a child who has become a ward of the state after being taken away from unfit or abusive parents. These types of Alabama adoptions are supervised by child protective services. • Intercountry adoptions involve a child from another country. An Alabama adoption of this type requires the person performing it to comply with both American and international law. Regardless of the type of adoption you are seeking to perform, a long "home study" process will be involved. Many measures will be taken to ensure that you are psychologically fit to go through with Alabama adoptions. This process may take anywhere from three to six months and will include extensive interviews and examinations of your home life. There are not many expenses that you will be directly responsible for during this part of the Alabama adoptions home study examination. You may be responsible for the cost of conducting a criminal background check and providing your medical records. Otherwise, most expense will be covered by the Alabama Department of Human Resources. In order to complete this process before you are allowed to go through with an Alabama adoption, you may be required to provide information related to: • Your income • Your upbringing • Your views on parenting • Your expectations for the Alabama adoption process Along with the adoption of physically and mentally healthy children, there are special provisions concerning Alabama adoptions of children with disabilities. Such minor children may qualify for Medicaid coverage. However, these kinds of "special needs" children also include: • Children over the age of eight • African-American children age two or older • In cases where multiple siblings are involved, groups of three or more children
NEXT: Alaska Adoption