17th Circuit Court
Non-Relative/Guardian Adoptions
A non-relative adoption occurs when a guardian has legal guardianship for a period of 2 or more years and desires to pursue adoption.
Before the adoption can go forward, the other parent's parental rights must be voluntarily terminated under a consent to adopt, voluntarily terminated under the Juvenile Code, or involuntarily terminated. Kent County requires that petitioners be married for 1 year prior to filing and reside in Kent County.
Requirements
- Kent County requires that married petitioners be married for 1 year prior to filing and reside in Kent County
- Parental rights must be terminated unless the non-petitioning parent is deceased
This is accomplished by:
- The parents consent to the child’s adoption (In this scenario the Court would schedule a consent hearing for the parents to Consent before the Judge) or
- By the Guardian initiating termination proceedings under the Juvenile Code to terminate rights involuntarily. Additional information on this process can be found in the Additional Procedures tab.
- An attorney is required when termination if involuntary under the Juvenile Code.
- A home assessment is required. The Court will schedule this after the case is opened.
- Children 14 years of age or older are required to consent to their adoption.
Additional Forms
- Petition For Hearing to Identify Father and Determine or Terminate His Rights
- Declaration of Inability to Identify/Locate Father
- Record Clearance (anyone over the age of 18 in the household must complete)
- Reference Letter (3 required)
- Motion for Alternate Service
- Relatives of Adoptive Parents ExcelSheet
FAQ
Coming Soon