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Step-Parent Adoption Services
Deatiled Description of Step-Parent Adoption Services
Step-Parent Adoptions
Adoption Assistance Agency is happy to work with traditionally married New Mexico couples seeking a step-parent adoption. We can provide pre-placement studies, criminal records checks, and counseling services as needed to complete your adoption. You will need to have an attorney to get the paperwork filed with the court, unless you intend to do this part on your own. We are happy to provide families with a list of recommended attorneys that you may work with that are familiar with the step-parent adoption process.
Since we are a small, non-profit agency, our board of directors has narrowed our scope to only working with married couples. We are sorry if that does not meet your need, but we would be happy to refer you to another agency that can.
The state of New Mexico has certain requirements for step-parent adoptions depending on the length of time you have been married.
If you have been married for:
-Less than 1 year: A Pre-Placement Study (see "Agency Adoption Services" for additional information on this service) needs to be completed on the step-parent only. A Criminal Records Checks will be completed with this as well.
-Between 1 and 2 years: Each parent must have 1 hour of counseling and a document prepared for the court regarding this counseling. (Adoption Counseling Affidavits) A Criminal Records Checks will need to be completed with this as well.
-2 years or more: No pre-placement study or counseling is required on either parent. Although, a Criminal Records Checks will need to be completed.
We can provide Criminal Records Checks for a fee $40.00. Please come to the office to collect the necessary paperwork for this, as well as additional instructions.
Regardless of what is required for the parents, the child or children may have additional requirements for counseling. They are as follows:
-Under 10 years old OR 18 years and older: No counseling is required.
-Between 10 and 17 years: They will need 2 separate hours of counseling (one of which will need to include a parent, or both parents). They will also need a Counseling Affidavit to take to the court to show that the necessary was completed.
-In the case of siblings: They can have 1 hour of counseling together, and 1 hour separate to complete their 2 hours.
If the child has not lived with the step-parent for at least 1 year, the adoption is treated by the court as an independent adoption requiring a Pre-Placement Study, a placement order, and interviews with the child.
In deciding whether or not to work with our Agency, we can send you a packet of information to look over, which would include an agency brochure, fee sheet, and application packet. If you are interested in this, please call us at (505) 821-7779, or e-mail us at info@adoptinassistance.org, and we will send one out to you right away.
Fee Sheets are available upon request.
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