All hopeful parents-to-be must meet a number of requirements to adopt in Colorado. Those requirements will vary based on the type of adoption you’re pursuing as well as the adoption professional you work with. American Adoptions is here to help you understand the process and requirements to become an adoptive family. Anytime you have questions, you can fill out this online form or call 1-800-ADOPTION to speak with an adoption specialist. 

Below, you will find some of the most frequently asked questions in regards to the requirements for adopting a child in Colorado:

Do I have to be married to adopt in Colorado?

No. You can be either single or married and adopt a child in Colorado. However, if you’re married, you must petition to adopt with your spouse.

Individual adoption professionals typically have their own adoption requirements about prospective adoptive parents and their marital status, however. American Adoptions, for one, requests that couples be married for at least two years before adopting, although exceptions have been made.

Please call 1-800-ADOPTION for more information on these adoption requirements.

Can same-sex couples adopt in Colorado?

Yes. Colorado LGBT couples are welcome to adopt through American Adoptions. Contact us to learn more.

How old do you have to be to adopt in Colorado? Is there an adoption age limit?

The state of Colorado specifies that you must be at least 21 years old to adopt a child, although no upper adoption age limit is given. Adoption professionals often have individual age requirements to adopt in Colorado. For example, American Adoptions asks that adoptive parents be between the ages of 22 to 50. 

Again, exceptions have been made, so call 1-800-ADOPTION to learn more about our age requirements to adopt in Colorado.

Can a felon adopt a child in Colorado?

Your Colorado adoption home study professional will conduct a background check and review any criminal history. Reasons why you may not meet the requirements for adoption in Colorado include a criminal history of:

• Child abuse or neglect

• Domestic abuse or violence

• Any crimes involving a minor

• Any violent or sexual crimes

• Felony physical assault or battery

• Felony drug-related conviction within the past five years

Non-violent, one-time offenders may be approved to adopt in Colorado on a case-by-case basis by the court and their social worker. To reach this point, you’ll first need to apply through the adoption agency, so contact us now to learn more.

American Adoptions is a licensed SAFE home study provider throughout the entire state of Colorado. We have streamlined the process to save you time and money – allowing you to focus on the next step of your adoption process. Follow this link to begin your home study and to learn more about the services we offer.

What do I need to adopt a child in Colorado? And how hard is it to adopt a baby?

While the general legal adoption requirements in Colorado for prospective adoptive parents are clear-cut, there are other requirements that you may not have considered yet. These adoption requirements include:

Health Requirements to Adopt in CO

When undergoing your home study, which is required for all types of adoption, you’ll need to present recent health records to ensure that you’re physically and mentally healthy enough to meet the demands of raising a child.

Financial Adoption Requirements

Similarly, your Colorado adoption home study will require recent financial documents to verify that you’re financially stable enough to provide for a child at this point in time.

Emotional Requirements for Adopting a Child

Unlike many of the other requirements for adopting a child in Colorado, there aren’t any documents that prove you’re emotionally ready to adopt. However, the emotional requirements to adopt in Colorado are some of the most important to the success of the adoption process. Emotional requirements you should consider include:

• Resolving grief associated with infertility, miscarriage, or dreams of having a child biologically.

• Educating and emotionally preparing yourself for the Colorado adoption process.

• Getting on the same page as your spouse about your adoption and parenthood goals so that you’re equally committed to the adoption process before you proceed.

• Learning about how to have a post-adoption relationship with your child’s birth family and releasing expectations that come with having a biological relationship with your child.

• Staying committed to and excited about adoption, despite challenges, is the best indicator of a successful adoption for both adoptive and expectant parents

Do you meet our agency's qualifications for adoption in Colorado? Call 1-800-ADOPTION to find out now, or request free adoption information online.

Disclaimer
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