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Pre-Adoption FAQs

Who can adopt a child?

To be eligible to adopt one of Florida’s children, you may be:

  • Married or single
  • Already a parent or never have been a parent
  • In your 20s or up to your 60s
  • An apartment renter or a homeowner
  • A person of modest means or wealth

The fact is that there is no one description of people who can be prospective adoptive parents. If you have the ability to love a child, provide the basics for a child, and to make a lifelong commitment, you can be an adoptive parent. There are a few factors that could prevent you from becoming an adoptive parent, such as certain felony criminal records.

What are the financial requirements (if any) to adopt a child in care?

The acceptable income level varies widely depending on each unique situation. Income will be addressed as part of the home study to ensure that an adoptive parent is currently financially stable and able to provide for the basic needs of a child. Potential adoptive parents will never be disqualified based on income alone.

What does an adoption cost?

When you adopt a child from a community-based care agency, you will not be charged an adoption fee or fees related to pre-adoptive training, home studies, or placement. There may be expenses related to attorney fees and court costs, but these may be reimbursed by the state. Other one-time-only expenses that may be reimbursed are birth certificate fees and travel expenses for visiting the child.

How long does the adoption process take?

The adoption process timeline varies from case to case, but the background checks, adoptive parent training, and home study can usually be completed in less than nine months.

Will I receive a complete case history when I consider a child for adoption?

Yes. One of the benefits of adopting from the state is having access to a comprehensive case history. You will be given information on the child’s medical background, foster placements, and developmental level. You will also be given insight into the child’s personality, habits, hobbies, aspirations, likes, and dislikes. This information helps determine how the child will fit into your family.

Can the biological parents take the child back?

No. In Florida, children are not available for adoption until a court has already terminated the parental rights of their birth parents. This form of adoption is very secure.

What does "special needs" mean?

“Special needs” is a term used in federal rules to describe certain children eligible for financial assistance in the adoption process. It does not mean the child necessarily has a disability. In the state of Florida, one or more of the following criteria qualifies a child for special needs assistance:

  • Age 8 or older
  • Member of a sibling group being placed for adoption together
  • African-American or racially mixed
  • Significant emotional ties with foster parents or a relative caregiver
  • Mental, physical, or emotional handicapped

What financial assistance is available for children adopted from community-based care?

Post-Adoption FAQs

Is post-adoption support provided?

Yes. The local community-based care agency that assisted you in completing the adoption provides support such as information and referral services, support groups, adoption-related libraries, case management, and training. To find out what options are available to you in your area, talk with your adoption counselor, contact your regional office of the Department of Children and Families, or view a listing of Post Adoption Services Counselors in Florida.

What if I move?

If you move or change your address, please put your new address in writing and send it to the community-based care lead agency’s adoption subsidy eligibility specialist. If you move out of the state of Florida, it is very important that you make the adoption subsidy specialist aware so that they can complete the necessary paperwork to transfer your child’s adoption Medicaid. The process to open Adoption Medicaid in another state can take at least 30 days to complete.

Based on IV-E funding, should the family move out of state, Medicaid may not continue with Florida. This should be discussed with the adoption specialist to address other options and avoid loss of benefits.

When are monthly adoption subsidy payments mailed?

Each community-based care agency makes a payment schedule for adoption subsidies. Please contact your local community-based care agency or the Adoption Information Center for additional information.

Whom should I contact if there is a problem with the adoption subsidy check or if I have not received it?

Please contact the community-based care lead agency to speak with the adoption subsidy specialist. If your check is delayed, please wait 10 days before contacting their office.

Where can I obtain a copy of my child’s Adoption Finalization Order?

You may obtain a certified copy of your Adoption Finalization Order from the courthouse where the adoption finalization occurred. Please visit the Florida Clerk of Court Offices with identification to obtain a copy. The community-based care lead agency is unable to give out certified copies of your Adoption Finalization Order. Requesting them from the courthouse is the only way to obtain a certified copy of the Adoption Finalization Order.

Your attorney is also able to attain this immediately following the adoption by asking the judge to sign the order and having it certified.

Where do I get my child’s new birth certificate?

Your adoption attorney should file the necessary paperwork for you to receive a birth certificate with your child’s new name (if applicable.) You will obtain a new birth certificate several weeks after Adoption Finalization. For any questions, contact the attorney who finalized the adoption.

How do I obtain a new Social Security Card?

To obtain a new Social Security card (if this is something your adoption attorney does not do) obtain an application from the Social Security Administration. It is recommended that you submit the new birth certificate (if applicable) and certified Adoption Finalization Order when you submit the Social Security card application on the Social Security Website.

How do I obtain a new Medicaid Card?

Requests for a new card must be made to the community-based care lead agency’s adoption subsidy specialist. New cards can take up to 45 days to receive.