17th Circuit Court

Relative Adoptions

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A relative adoption occurs when a custodial parent formally places the child with a relative.

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 married petitioners be married for 1 year prior to filing and be residents of Kent County
  • Petitioner(s) in a relative adoption must be related within the 5th degree and must have full legal guardianship of the adoptee.
  • For purposes of the Adoption Code, within the fifth degree by marriage, blood, or adoption is “any of the following relationships: parent, step-parent, grandparent, step grandparent, brother, step-brother, sister, step-sister, uncle, step-uncle, aunt, step-aunt, first cousin, step-first cousin, great aunt, step-great aunt, great uncle, step-great uncle, great grandparent, step-great grandparent, first cousin once removed, step-first cousin once removed, great great grandparent, step-great great grandparent, great great uncle, step-great great uncle, great great aunt, step-great great aunt, great great great grandparent, or step-great great great grandparent.” MCL 710.22(y).
  • An attorney is required when termination is involuntary under the juvenile code. Additional information on this process can be found in the Additional Procedures tab.
  • 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.
Relative Adoption Fillable Guide

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Additional Forms

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FAQ

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