Agency: When an agency licensed by the State of Ohio originates and handles the adoption process, Probate Court involvement is limited to the final stages of the adoption. It is the agency who approves the placement, conducts the home study, and recommends the adoption to the Court. Adoption agencies have trained, professional staff, and use legal counsel to ensure that adoptions are legally, effectively, and efficiently handled.
Independent Adoption: In this instance, a licensed adoption agency is not involved. It is generally handled by a private attorney working directly with the Court. On occasion, the child may be related to persons seeking to adopt, such as a grandchild, niece, nephew, etc. Other times, there is no relationship between the child to be adopted and those adopting.
Step-parent: The person seeking to adopt is either a step- father or step-mother. The parent whose right is being terminated must consent unless his or her consent is not required.
Interstate Adoptions: Where a child is born in one state and the adopting parents are residents of another state, both States' Departments of Human Services must be involved through the Interstate Compact. The Probate Court will supervise these proceedings.
Foreign Adoptions: If an Ohio family adopts a child born in another country, the adoption is considered a Foreign Adoption. Adoption may occur in the country of birth or in Ohio. All foreign adoptions must be processed through the U.S. Department of Immigration and Naturalization.
Open Adoption: As an alternative to a traditional closed adoption where identities are not disclosed, an open adoption occurs when both the natural and adopting parents, prior to the adoption, voluntarily disclose their identities to each other. Open adoption law applies only to non-relative adoptions and may involve a non-binding agreement for contact between the adopted child and the natural parent(s). However, all parental control of the adopted child remains with the adopting parents.
Who May Adopt?
Who May Be Adopted?
Common Adoption Questions
The parents of the child to be adopted, a minor being adopted who is over the age of 12 years, and an adult adoptee must consent to adoption. However, under certain circumstances, consent may be waived. Therefore, questions concerning consent should be directed to an agency or attorney.
An unwed father, known as a putative father, may preserve his rights to consent to an adoption of a child born after January 1, 1997, by registering with the Ohio Department of Human Services, Putative Father Registry. Registration must occur either prior to birth, or no later than thirty days after birth. As to the rights of a putative father prior to January 1, 1997, contact an agency or attorney.
Registry Address:
Ohio Putative Father Registry
255 East Main St., 3rd Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Since the Probate Court has exclusive jurisdiction over Adoptions, you are required to file in the Probate Court of the County where anyone of the following applies:
- The Agency having custody of the child is located.
- The child was born.
- The person or persons seeking to adopt reside.
- The person is stationed in Military Service.
- In an independent placement: where the natural parent resides.
Yes. Regardless of the type of adoption, a home study is required. An individual known as an assessor, who is qualified and trained for the task, will complete the home study.
Yes, only an attorney or agency may arrange an adoption. However, in the case of a step-parent adoption, check with your local Court to determine if an attorney is required.
Yes. It is mandatory, whether adopting through an agency, or independently, that the person adopting and the child or children sought to be adopted appear before the Probate Court for the final hearing. In certain circumstances, there may be other appearances required. Any exceptions can only be granted by the Court for good cause shown.
Yes. The original birth certificate will be sealed and a new birth certificate issued. The adopting parent or parents will be reflected on the birth certificate, just as though they had been the biological parents.
Adopted children born in Ohio or a foreign country, receive their new birth certificate from the Bureau of Vital Statistics, Columbus, Ohio. Children adopted in Ohio, but born in other states, obtain their new birth certificates from the Bureau of Vital Statistics in the state where they were born.
Judge Kevin Dunn
Judge Kevin W. Dunn has been presiding over the Medina County Court of Common Pleas Probate and Juvenile Divisions since August 2013 upon being appointed by Governor John Kasich. The Judge was elected by Medina County voters to continue his duties in the position and began his six-year term February 2015.
Contact Medina County Juvenile Court
This website is designed as a service to the public to provide an understanding on the duties and procedures of the Probate Court in Ohio in reference to adoptions. This should not be considered a legal reference.
