More than 1.3 million American children are being raised by relatives other than their parents. The number of grandparents raising their grandchildren soared more than 40% in the last decade. See www.childwelfare.gov, the Federal government Information Gateway website for additional information and statistics.

In most states, relative adoptions close enough to include aunt, uncle, grandparent, and step-parent are treated differently by the law. The home study that is required for other adoptions may be excused for in-family relative adoptions. This reduces the cost of the process making relative adoption as simple as possible.

Relative in-family adoptions can still be complicated in other ways, changing the dynamics of a family in very dramatic ways. Family members have new legal relationships as an overlay on or substitute for previous, biological relationships. Depending on the age of the child and the continuing relationships among the adults involved, families may wish to seek out counseling before and after the relative adoption.

ACF provides low cost legal services to legalize existing family relationships, such as step-parent, grand-parent or other relative adoptions.

ACF provides low cost legal services to Florida families finalizing an adoption initiated in another state. After the Florida court issues a Final Judgment of Adoption, a new birth certificate will be issued by the Office of Vital Statistics in the state where the child was born or adopted.

For more information about relative adoption please call us today at 800-348-0467 or send us an E-Mail: info@adoptionflorida.org