Adopted Child and Paperwork Req

[Dia]

TEXAS

I cannot find anything in the minimum standards that addresses this issue.

I have an adopted child starting into care, what paperwork is required? The parents offered to bring in a copy of the placement paperwork, is this enough?

I kept a foster child (someone else's) in care and when my licensor came out she said I needed paperwork stating legal rights, and that the biological parents were prohibited pickup.

I'm assuming the same would apply since adoption is not finalized until Jan. and child is going by 2 last names......

Any thoughts or experience please....

[Thriftylady]

My two kiddos have been adopted by hubby so I know a little about this. There is NO different paperwork required for an adopted child than if the child was a biological child. The child for all legal purposes is (has become) a bio child. The birth certificate has been changed, it is as if the child never had another parent(s). Therefore there is no other paperwork needed. Since the adoption is not final, I am not sure but would ask questions such as are bio parents involved in the child's life? If no I would treat it as it is final.

[Dia]

My two kiddos have been adopted by hubby so I know a little about this. There is NO different paperwork required for an adopted child than if the child was a biological child. The child for all legal purposes is (has become) a bio child. The birth certificate has been changed, it is as if the child never had another parent(s). Therefore there is no other paperwork needed. Since the adoption is not final, I am not sure but would ask questions such as are bio parents involved in the child's life? If no I would treat it as it is final.

That was my initial plan. It was an open adoption, the parents got to attend the birth and care for baby from the start. Since the child is a newborn she still retains biological mothers last name until adoption is finalized at 6 months old, so the parents put the biological mothers last name on records so that it would match shot records and insurance records......this is what gave me pause. I was just going to proceed as normal until I realized. I think just keeping the placement paperwork on hand should cover any bases. But wanted to get some other opinions on the matter.

[Blackcat31]

That was my initial plan. It was an open adoption, the parents got to attend the birth and care for baby from the start. Since the child is a newborn she still retains biological mothers last name until adoption is finalized at 6 months old, so the parents put the biological mothers last name on records so that it would match shot records and insurance records......this is what gave me pause. I was just going to proceed as normal until I realized. I think just keeping the placement paperwork on hand should cover any bases. But wanted to get some other opinions on the matter.

If the adoptive parents have legal custody (even just as temporary guardians until the adoption if finalized) it does not matter if the child has 8 last names.

Just as long as the adoptive parents have legal paperwork proving that they do have legal guardianship which I am sure is the case.

I doubt you need to do anything differently than what you normally do.

[Thriftylady]

I agree with BC. But once the adoption is done, the child will legally have the adoptive last names. My children's shot records paperwork does not match because it was before the adoption. But it hasn't been an issue for me. I suppose I could be asked to show my adoption papers to prove it but haven't been asked to yet.

[Dia]

If the adoptive parents have legal custody (even just as temporary guardians until the adoption if finalized) it does not matter if the child has 8 last names.

Just as long as the adoptive parents have legal paperwork proving that they do have legal guardianship which I am sure is the case.

I doubt you need to do anything differently than what you normally do.

Thank you, I will just proceed as normal, i don't think it will be questioned. I just know I have an inspection due in the next month or so, so I am a little paranoid...., I am very much a perfectionist when it comes to my paperwork, etc. My licensor always tells me I make her job too easy because she still has to stick around and chat for half an hour until she is allowed to "check out" on her computer...

[Thriftylady]

Thank you, I will just proceed as normal, i don't think it will be questioned. I just know I have an inspection due in the next month or so, so I am a little paranoid...., I am very much a perfectionist when it comes to my paperwork, etc. My licensor always tells me I make her job too easy because she still has to stick around and chat for half an hour until she is allowed to "check out" on her computer...

If you are worried about your licensor appointment, just have adoptive mom give you a copy of whatever papers she has saying the that lil one is placed with her and pending adoption. That should clear things ups.

[Pepperth]

We've adopted two children. For child care purposes, we never had to produce any documents indicating our familial status, and our last name was always used.

However, if you need such documentation, you could ask for a copy of their placement affidavit. Before the adoption is finalized, this serves as a replacement for anywhere a birth certificate is required. The important thing to remember here is that the pre-adoptive parents are the legal guardians at this point with all the decision-making abilities. Its not the same as foster-care at all.

[Play Care]

I would call your licensor, and explain the situation (if I'm understanding it correctly the adoption is actually NOT finalized?) and have her email you what, if any, other documentation you might need. If she emails you back and says you don't need any extra just the usual, print that out and put it with the child's file. If she says you need X, y and z, then get whatever that it, print out the email placing a check mark by each item so it's double checked and put the items in the child's folder.

Then next month for the inspection you should be pretty set.

[Thriftylady]

I would call your licensor, and explain the situation (if I'm understanding it correctly the adoption is actually NOT finalized?) and have her email you what, if any, other documentation you might need. If she emails you back and says you don't need any extra just the usual, print that out and put it with the child's file. If she says you need X, y and z, then get whatever that it, print out the email placing a check mark by each item so it's double checked and put the items in the child's folder.

Then next month for the inspection you should be pretty set.

This is a good idea. I agree with Pepperth on her post, but as we all know licensing sometimes likes to make things up as they go. If you call her and have her email you then you have in written form what she plans to demand and that holds her to that.

[Unregistered]

I think each state has its own rules. My child was adopted as a newborn. While I was 100 percent responsible for his insurance, medical needs and everything else he was legally the agencies until finalization at 10 months old. I was allowed to travel with the US with him but not out of the country until finalization. I didn't receive one piece of paper until we went to court at 10 months. His bio mom chose not to name him so he has always had the name that I gave him and always just used my last name.(although it was a closed adoption they forgot to remove his bracelet at the hospital before giving him to me so I do know his bio mom's full name) I probably never even told his daycare he was adopted. I took on the role as his parent just as if he had been mine biologically.