Q.
Who can petition to adopt a child in Florida?
A.
A married couple, an unmarried adult, or either
the husband or wife if the other spouse is a
natural parent of the minor child may petition
the circuit court of the county in which they
reside to adopt the child.
Q.
Who gives consent for an adoption to take
place in Florida?
A.
Consent may be executed by the court, but
normally consent has to be executed by the
following:
1.
The mother of the minor.
2.
The father of the minor, if . . .
a.
The minor was conceived or born while the
father was married to the mother;
b.
The minor is his child by adoption;
c.
The minor has been established by court
proceedings to be his child.
d.
He has acknowledged in writing, signed in
the presence of a competent witness, that he is
the father of the minor child and has filed such
acknowledgment with the Vital Statistics Office
of the Department of Health and Rehabilitative
Services.
3.
The minor, if more than 12 years of age,
unless the court, in the best interest of the
minor, disregards the minor’s consent.
Q.
What are some of the procedures for a Florida
adoption?
A.
Before a petition can be filed, the child must
have lived in the home of the petitioner, except
where . . .
1.
One of the petitioners is related to the
child by blood, or
2.
The petitioners are related to the child
as stepparents.
Notice of the final hearing on the adoption must
be sent to the agency investigating the adoption
and the Department of Health and Rehabilitative
Services when its recommendation is required.
Stepparent adoptions no longer require such
notices.
Q.
Is citizenship affected by adoption?
A.
No. Citizenship of an adopted child is not
affected by his or her adoption, but
naturalization of an adopted child is possible.
Q.
Are court records protected in an adoption
proceeding?
A.
Yes. All records pertaining to the adoption are
closed and kept in separate locked files. No
person shall have access to these reports or
records except under court order.
