The laws and procedures for adoption vary from one state to the next, so you want to make sure you fully understand the laws in your jurisdiction. For instance, some states require a certain period of in-home observation in order to determine compatibility.

Also, rules tend to vary for how and when a child may contact his or her birth parent. You also will need to access the appropriate adoption forms for your state. For a helpful list of common state adoption forms, see the list below. To suggest a resource for this page, please e-mail us.

National

• IRS Topic 607 - Adoption Credit
• IRS Pub 8839 - Qualified Adoption Expenses
• IRS Form W-7A - Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number

Alabama

• Alabama Adoption/Foster Care Inquiry Form (Alabama Department of Human Resources)
• Request for a Pre-Adoption or Other Birth Certificate from an Alabama Sealed File [PDF] (Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statistics)
• Birth Parent Application to Place Information in a Sealed File (Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statistics)

Alaska

• Guardianship Plan (Alaska Court System)
• Adoption & Guardianship (Office of Children's Services)

Arizona

• Child Information Guide
• Forms (Arizona Dept. of Child Safety)

Arkansas

• Forms (Arkansas Department of Human Services Division of Children and Family Services)

California

• Adoption (The Judicial Branch of California)
• More from California Courts Adoption Forms and Instructions

Colorado

• Petition for Appointment of Guardian for Minor
• Kinship Forms
• Validation of Foreign Adoption Instructions & Forms
• More Adoption Forms from Colorado State Judiciary

Connecticut

• Adoption (Connecticut Alliance of Foster and Adoptive Families)
• Petition/Termination Parental Rights [PDF] (Connecticut Superior Court for Juvenile Matters)

Delaware

• Adoption Instruction Packet (Delaware Courts)

District of Columbia

• Adoption Forms (D.C. Courts)
• Child and Family Services Agency
• Adoption Fact Sheet (Child and Family Services Agency)

Florida

• Stepparent Adoption: Consent and Waiver by Parent
• Stepparent Adoption: Consent of Adoptee
• Joint Petition for Adoption by Stepparent
• Petition for Adoption Information
• More Florida Supreme Court Family Forms

Georgia

• Adoption Policy and Forms
• Foster to Adopt Agreement
• More Division of Family and Children Services Adoption Policy & Forms

Hawaii

• Court Forms (Hawaii State Judiciary)

Idaho

• CPA-Related Adoption
• More from Idaho Department of Health and Welfare

Illinois

• Final and Irrevocable Consent to Adoption (Cook County)
• Affidavit in Support of Petition to Adopt (Cook County)
• Listing Eligibility Form (Adoption Information Center of Illinois)

Indiana

• Adoption Program Application
• More Department of Child Services Forms
• More from Indiana Archives and Records Administration

Iowa

• Court Forms (Iowa Judicial Branch)

Kansas

• Consent to Adoption of Minor Child

Kentucky

• Appearance Waiver and Consent to Adoption
• More from Kentucky Court of Justice

Louisiana

• Foster Parent Handbook
• More from Department of Children & Family Services

Maine

• Interest eForm
• Adoption Reunion Registry Application

Maryland

• Certificate of Adoption
• Adoption Search, Contact and Reunion Forms

Massachusetts

• File for Adoption
• More from Massachusetts Court System

Michigan

• Adoption Checklist
• Adoption Application
• Intent to Adopt

Minnesota

• Consent of Parent to Adoption and Waiver of Notice of Adoption Hearing
• Stepparent Adoption Forms (Uncontested)
• More Minnesota Adoption Forms

Mississippi

• Foster/Adoption Application (Mississippi Dept. of Child Protection Services)

Missouri

• Adoption Home Assessment Application
• More from Missouri Department of Social Services

Montana

• Montana Adoption: Information and Forms
• More from Montana Judicial Branch

Nebraska

• Forms (Nebraska Judicial Branch)
• More from Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services

Nevada

• Adoptee Application
• Birth Parent Application
• More Division of Child & Family Services Adoption Forms

New Hampshire

• Petition for Adoption
• More from New Hampshire Judicial Branch
• More from New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services

New Jersey

• Inquiry Form (Department of Children and Families)
• More from Department of Children and Families

New Mexico

• Inquire About Becoming a Foster or Adoptive Parent
• More from New Mexico Children, Youth & Families Department

New York

• Petition for Adoption (Agency)
• Petition for Adoption (Private Placement)
• Request for Information - Private Adoption
• More from New York State Office of Children and Family Services

North Carolina

• Petition for Adoption of A Minor Child (Non-Stepparent)
• Consent of Child for Adoption
• Relinquishment of Minor for Adoption by Parent or Guardian or Guardian Ad Litem of the Mother/Father
• More from North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

North Dakota

• Search/Disclosure Request
• Report of Termination of Adoptive Placement
• More from North Dakota Department of Human Services

Ohio

• Petition for Adoption of Minor
• Petition for Adoption of Adult
• Petition to Recognize Foreign Adoption
• Consent to Adoption
• More from The Ohio Judicial System

Oklahoma

• More from Oklahoma Department of Human Services

Oregon

• Adoption File Face Sheet
• Genetic and Medical History of Child and Biological Family
• Adoption Report
• More from Oregon Department of Human Services

Pennsylvania

• Adoptee Medical History Request Form
• Birth Parent Medical History Registration Form
• Request for Adoption Information
• More from Pennsylvania Adoption Exchange
• More from Pennsylvania Department of Human Services

Rhode Island

• Adoption Petition
• Report of Adoption
• More from Rhode Island Judiciary

South Carolina

• Forms and Brochures (South Carolina Dept. of Social Services)
• Certificate of Adoption

South Dakota

• Adoption Registry Form
• Mandatory Reporting Form For All Adoption Cases
• More South Dakota Department of Social Services

Tennessee

• Adoption Affidavit to Establish Financial Ability
• Application for Report of Foreign Birth

Texas

• Foster Care and Adoption Parenting Application
• Adoption Registry Application Instructions
• Foster Care and Adoptive Home Study
• Adoption Assistance Program
• More forms from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services

Utah

• Report of Adoption
• Registration of an Adoption Order from a Foreign County
• More from Utah Courts

Vermont

• Adoption (Vermont Judiciary)
• More from Vermont Judiciary

Virginia

• Adoption Inquiry Form
• Consent to Adoption
• More Adoption Forms from Virginia Department of Social Services

Washington

• Adoption Support Agreement Review
• More Department of Social and Health Services Forms

West Virginia

• Foster/Adoptive Care Inquiry Form
• More from West Virginia Bureau for Children and Families

Wisconsin

• Petition for Minor Child Adoption
• Petition for Adult Adoption

Wyoming

• Adoptee's Affidavit and Petition
• Birth Parent's Affidavit and Petition
• More Department of Family Services Forms

Get Legal Help Using Your State Adoption Forms to Finalize Your Adoption

Even with the right forms, the adoption process can be complicated and you will undoubtedly have many questions along the way. You can get your questions answered and obtain the advice from a trusted advocate by speaking with a family law attorney with adoption experience.