Adoption is a wonderful process that brings children and families together. However, the adoption process can seem murky or confusing to potential future parents. Hopefully we can clear up some questions for you, with the help of the Florida Department of Children and Families. This week, we are exploring the most commonly asked questions about adoption.

Who Can Adopt A Child?

Nearly everybody in Florida can adopt a child. The main reasons that people are ineligible are an inability to provide for the basic needs of a child or a criminal record that includes domestic disturbances or felonies. There are a few factors that the state considers in their home check, but that rarely disqualify individuals.

  • The primary concern here is if the adoptive parents will live until the child is no longer a minor. Additionally, the parents have to be old enough to properly care for the child.
  • Living space. The state does not care if the potential parents are homeowners or renters, in a house or an apartment. As long as the living space is suitable for children, there shouldn’t be any issues.
  • Income level. There is no minimum income level for adoption in the state of Florida. However, potential parents should be able to provide for their future child. Nobody will ever be disqualified on income alone.
  • Mental and emotional health. Adoptive parents need to be stable and supportive individuals in order to care for the new addition to their family. Both parents need a clean bill of health, or an experts’ testimony that their mental health is being cared for.

What Is The Cost Of Adoption?

Adopting from the state is cheaper than adopting from any other source. There are no adoption fees or fees for pre-adoptive training or home checks. There are legal fees associated with adoption, but the state may reimburse those fees. Additionally, costs such as visiting the child or birth certificate fees may also be reimbursed. Ultimately, the cost is very manageable if you are adopting from a community-based care agency.

Can The Biological Parents Reclaim The Child?

The short answer is a definitive “no.” If a child is up for adoption via the state, their birth parents’ parental rights have been terminated. Whether this is due to legal issues, or the parents put the child up for adoption at birth, that child is in the care of their adoptive parents as soon as the papers are signed.

How Will I Know About My Child’s Personal History?

The state will provide a total case history for every child. The case histories include a variety of invaluable information.

  • Medical background
  • Foster placements
  • Developmental level
  • Habits
  • Hobbies
  • What the child aspires to do or to be
  • Their likes and dislikes
  • Any possible triggers for them.

Essentially, any information an adoptive parent needs to raise a child happily and healthily.