If you hope to adopt a child, you’ll first need to meet the requirements for adoption in Oklahoma. Your individual adoption requirements will vary based on the type of adoption your pursue as well as the adoption professional you work with, but below are some of the most commonly asked questions about the requirements for adopting a child in Oklahoma.

If you’re ready to talk to one of our adoption specialists, you can contact us today by calling 1-800-ADOPTION or filling out our free online form.

Do I have to be married to adopt in Oklahoma?

No. You can adopt as an individual in Oklahoma. Married persons can petition to adopt with their spouse.

While your marital status does not legally affect your ability to adopt in Oklahoma, many individual adoption professional have their own adoption qualifications for prospective adoptive couples. For example, American Adoptions asks that adoptive couples be married for at least two years prior to adopting, although exceptions can be, and have been, made. Call 1-800-ADOPTION to learn more about our agency's adoption requirements.

Can same-sex couples adopt in Oklahoma?

Yes. There are no laws discussing same-sex couples and adoption in Oklahoma, although again, some adoption professionals may have their own set of requirements or preferences.

American Adoptions welcomes LGBT families who wish to adopt a child in Oklahoma. Call us now to learn more.

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

You must be at least 21 years old to adopt in Oklahoma. There is no specified upper adoption age limit in Oklahoma. Additionally, adoption professionals usually have their own age requirements to adopt in Oklahoma through their programs. American Adoptions’ age requirements state that adoptive parents must be between 22 and 50 years old, although again, some exceptions have been made. Call us at 1-800-ADOPTION to learn more.

Can a felon adopt a child in Oklahoma?

All potential adoptive parents in the United States must be approved through a home study before they can adopt. A home study includes FBI fingerprinting, criminal background checks and other safety clearances.

However, if you’ve ever been convicted of a felony, you will not automatically be prevented from adopting in Oklahoma. Your social worker and the court will discuss your individual situation and may approve you for adoption depending on your specific circumstances. But in order to reach this stage, you’ll first need to apply through an adoption agency, so call to learn more.

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

Although it is easy to determine whether you meet the standard legal adoption requirements in Oklahoma through documentation, there are other requirements to adopt that you may not have considered yet. These adoption requirements include:

Health Requirements to Adopt in OK

All prospective adoptive families will submit current health statements as part of their home study. This is done to ensure that you’re physically and mentally healthy enough to adopt a child at this time.

Financial Adoption Requirements in OK

Your home study will also require that you submit your current financial statements. Your financial stability and your ability to provide for a child’s basic needs are taken into consideration at this stage.

Emotional Requirements for Adopting a Child in OK

Emotional preparedness to adopt a child is difficult to prove, but it’s one of the most important requirements for adopting a child in Oklahoma. If you meet the emotional requirements to adopt in Oklahoma, it’s seen as one of the best indicators that your adoption will proceed successfully. These emotional requirements for prospective adoptive parents include:

• Addressing any grief from infertility or miscarriage.

• Letting go of the expectations of having a biological child so that you can embrace the “unknowns” of adoption.

• Getting in synch with your spouse about your adoption goals, your parenting techniques and your feelings about adoption before beginning the adoption process.

• Emotionally preparing yourself for the unique benefits and challenges of the Oklahoma adoption process and raising adopted children.

• Educating yourself about how to maintain post-adoption relationships with your child’s birth family.

• Staying committed to the OK adoption process throughout all of its ups and downs.

Do you think you might meet our agency's qualifications for adoption in Oklahoma? And are you ready to start the adoption process today? Contact us at 1-800-ADOPTION now, or request free adoption information online.

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