Adoption is a formal legal process where an application is required to be filed in the Family Court. You need to get the birth mother (and the birth father in most cases) to sign a Consent to Adoption Order form.
Once all the legal documents are completed and filed in Court, Oranga Tamariki is required to file a report. This report will look into your background and suitability to adopt a child.
If your application is successful, the Judge will normally make an Interim Order, in the first instance. This is a temporary Order that gives you the right to act as the child’s parents for up to 1 year. Social workers from Oranga Tamariki may visit you every now and again to make sure things are going well. You can apply for a final Adoption Order 6 months after the Interim Order starts (unless the Judge says you can do it sooner).
If you are considering adopting a child then please contact our knowledgeable team at the Law Shop who can assist you through this process.