About This Online Publication

This online publication is designed as a service to the public in order to provide a general understanding of the duties and procedures of the Probate Court in reference to Adoption. This should not be considered as a legal reference. If you have a legal question dealing with Adoption, an attorney should be consulted.

Who May Adopt?

  1. A husband and wife jointly.
  2. Step-parent.
  3. Single Adult.

Who May be Adopted?

  1. Minor child.
  2. An adult person determined to be totally and permanently disabled or mentally retarded.
  3. An adult may adopt another adult provided a parent-child relationship existed during the adoptee's minority.

What are the Types of Adoption?

  1. Agency: When an agency licensed by the State of Ohio originates and handles the adoption process, Probate Court involvement is limited to the final stages of the adoption. It is the agency who approves the placement, conducts the home study, and recommends the adoption to the Court. Adoption agencies have trained, professional staff, and use legal counsel to insure that adoptions are legally, effectively, and efficiently handled.
  2. Independent Adoption: In this instance, a licensed adoption agency is not involved. It is generally handled by a private attorney, working directly with the Court. On occasion, the child may be related to persons seeking to adopt, such as a grandchild, niece, nephew, etc. Other times, there is no relationship between the child to be adopted and those adopting.
  3. Step-parent: The person seeking to adopt is either a step-father or step-mother. The parent whose right is being terminated must consent unless his or her consent is not required.
  4. Interstate Adoptions: Where a child is born in one state and the adopting parents are residents of another state, both State's Departments of Human Services must be involved through the interstate Compact. The Probate Court will supervise these proceedings.
  5. Foreign Adoptions: If an Ohio family adopts a child born in another country, the adoption is considered a Foreign Adoption. Adoption may occur in the country of birth or in Ohio. All foreign adoptions must be processed through the U.S. Department of Immigration and Naturalization.

Who Must Consent?

The parents of the child to be adopted, a minor being adopted who is over the age of twelve (12) years, and an adult adoptee must consent to adoption. However, under certain circumstances, consent may be waived. Therefore, questions concerning consent should be directed to an agency or attorney.

What are the Rights of an Unwed Father?

An unwed father, known as a putative father, may preserve his rights to consent to an adoption of a child born after January 1, 1997, by registering with the Ohio Department of Human Services, Putative Father Registry. Registration must occur either prior to birth, or no later than thirty (30) days after birth. As to the rights of a putative father prior to January 1, 1997, contact an agency or attorney.

See the section titled Where can I Obtain Information About Adoptions for address of Putative Father Registry.

What is an Open Adoption?

As an alternative to a traditional closed adoption where identities are not disclosed, an open adoption occurs when both the natural and adopting parents, prior to the adoption, voluntarily disclose their identities to each other. Open adoption law applies only to non-relative adoptions, and may involve a non-binding agreement for contact between the adopted child and the natural parent(s). However, all parental control of the adopted child remains with the adopting parents.

For more information on open adoptions, contact an agency or attorney.

Where Should I File for Adoption?

Since the Probate Court has exclusive jurisdiction over Adoptions, you are required to file in the Probate Court of the County where any one of the following apply:

  1. The Agency having custody of the child is located.
  2. The child was born.
  3. The person or persons seeking to adopt reside.
  4. Person is stationed in Military Service.
  5. In an independent placement: where the natural parent resides.

Is a Home Study Necessary?

Yes. Regardless of the type of adoption, a home study is required. An individual known as an assessor, who is qualified and trained for the task, will complete the home study.

Must I have an Attorney?

Yes. Only an attorney or agency may arrange an adoption. However, in the case of a step-parent adoption, check with your local Court to determine if an attorney is required.

Must I Appear in Court?

Yes. It is mandatory, whether adopting through an agency, or independently, that the person adopting and the child or children sought to be adopted appear before the Probate Court for the final hearing. In certain circumstances, there may be other appearances required. Any exceptions can only be granted by the Court for good cause shown.

Access to Adoption Files?

Adoption files are confidential, and closed to the public. The adoptee or adopting parents, however, may obtain the following information:

  1. Medical Information: Generally, all adoption records are open for the purpose of obtaining the medical background of biological parents. The Court or agency involved in the adoption should be contacted for that information.
  2. Identifying Information: Biological Parents:
    Prior to 1964: Copies of the original birth certificate may be obtained from the State Bureau of Vital Statistics.
    1964-1996: Adoption records for this period are closed. Identifying information will be released only if the biological parent(s), or an adult sibling, has signed an authorization for Release of Information.
    1996 to date: Since 9-18-96, adoption records are open unless the biological parent(s) have requested that identifying information be withheld. The State Bureau of Vital Statistics should be contacted.

See the section titled Where can I Obtain Information About Adoptions for address of The State Office of Vital Statistics.

Is the Birth Certificate Changed?

Yes. The original birth certificate will be sealed and a new birth certificate issued. The adopting parent or parents will be reflected on the birth certificate, just as though they had been the biological parents.

Adopted children born in Ohio or a foreign country, receive their new birth certificate from the Office of Vital Statistics, Columbus, Ohio. Children adopted in Ohio, but born in other states, obtain their new birth certificates from the Office of Vital Statistics in the state where they were born.

Where can I Obtain Information About Adoptions?

Check your telephone book if an address or telephone number is not listed below.

  1. County Agency

  1. Children Services Board
    264 S. Arlington St.
    Akron, OH 44306-1399
    330.379.2083
    www.summitkids.org

  2. Private Agencies

    Akron Bar Association
    (For referral to attorney who specializes in adoption law)
    7 W. Bowery St.
    Akron, OH 44308
    330.253.5007
    www.akronbar.org

    Private Adoption Agencies
    (Consult the yellow pages under "Adoption Services")

  3. State Agencies

    Office of Vital Statistics
    Ohio Department of Health
    P.O. Box 15098
    Columbus, OH 43215–0098
    614.466.2531
    www.odh.state.oh.us

    Ohio Putative Father Registry
    30 E. Broad St., Floor 31
    Columbus, OH 43266-0423
    1.888.313.3100

    Ohio Department of Human Services
    30 E. Broad St., Floor 31
    Columbus, OH 43266-0423
    www.state.oh.us/odjfs

Legal Practice in the Probate Court

Legal practice in the Probate Court is restricted by law to attorneys who are licensed by the Supreme Court of Ohio. If an individual wishes to handle his or her own case, he or she may do so; however, they may not represent others. Due to the complexity of the law and the desire to avoid costly errors, most individuals who have filings before the Court are represented by an attorney. Deputy clerks are prevented by law from practicing law and therefore are limited in the advice they are permitted to give.

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