Adopting in Georgia
Adoption is a social and legal process whereby an individual joins a family, earning the same rights and status as those born into that family. For children in Georgia’s foster care system, adoption presents the opportunity to form a lasting family bond.
Prospective adoptive parents in Georgia must meet the following qualifications:
- Be at least 21 years of age or married and living with his/her spouse
- Be at least 10 years older than the child, except when the individual is a step-parent or relative of the child
- Be a resident of Georgia at the time the petition for adoption is filed or be a resident of the receiving state when the child (adoptee) was either born in Georgia or is a resident of Georgia at the time of placement for adoption and was placed in another state in compliance with the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) – a non-resident of Georgia is deemed to have complied with the ICPC if the compact does not apply or if the individual is a resident of another country
- Be financially, physically, and mentally able to have permanent custody of the child – if the individual seeking to adopt the child is married, the petition for adoption shall be filed in the name of both spouses, however, when the child is or was the stepchild of the individual seeking to adopt, the petition shall be filed by the step-parent alone
Additionally, prospective adoptive parents must be willing and able to care for the child or children who are placed with them. Through the act of adopting, adoptive parents make an unconditional commitment to meet the physical, emotional, medical, psychological, and social needs of the child or children in their care.
To learn more about becoming a Foster or Adoptive Parent Call 1-877-210-KIDS (5437).