ADOPTIONS
STEP PARENT ADOPTION
A step parent adoption is when only one birth parent relinquishes or
terminates his/her rights to the child. Then, by adoption, a birth parent’s new
husband or wife may adopt their step child. When the adoption is finalized, the new spouse
of the custodial birth parent is put on the birth certificate in place of the terminated
birth parent.
ADOPTION OF A FOSTER CHILD
A public agency adoption (Washington
State Division of Children and Family Services) provides adoption services for children
within the foster care system. A child may come into foster care because of neglect or
abuse by a parent. The parent/child relationship between the birth parents and the child
may be terminated by court order after a trial, if the birth parents are unable to parent.
Once this is done, the child will be free to be adopted.
The information contained in these pages
is not intended to be legal advice, and does not create an
attorney-client relationship. You should always consult with an attorney before taking any
action.
