In general, if you are over 18 years old and able to provide a safe, stable, financially secure home, you are eligible to adopt in Ohio. Sexual orientation, religion, and marital status generally do not play a role. 

This page is a comprehensive guide to how to adopt in Ohio. We will cover different pathways to adoption in Ohio, legal rights for birth mothers and fathers, and how to find an attorney or local agency to help you work through the process. We will also touch on what to expect from the home study, Ohio’s evaluation process of prospective adoptive parents.

Ohio Adoption Laws at a Glance

Here’s a quick look at Ohio adoption laws:

Who Can Adopt?	People who are at least 18 years old People who are married, single, divorced, or widowed All sexual orientationsAny education level May or may not have other children Renters and homeowners Must have a stable income
Residency Requirements	Adoptive parents must have lived in Ohio for at least six months
Marital Status	Marital status is not a factor in Ohio adoption
Birth Mother Consent	Birth mothers must wait 72 hours before signing their consent papers
Revocation Period	A birth mother can apply to withdraw consent before entry of an interlocutory order. This usually happens 30 to 45 days after placement in the adoptive parents’ home. A court has to rule that the withdrawal is in the child’s best interest.
Birth Father Rights	If the birth father isn’t married to the birth mother, his consent isn’t necessary for placing a child for adoption unless he registers with the Putative Father Registry within 15 days of the child’s birth.

Paths to Adopting a Child in Ohio

If you’re wondering how to adopt in Ohio, there are three main paths.

Private Infant Adoption

Private infant adoption is what most people picture when they think about the adoption process. It involves a match between two sets of people: the birth family and the adoptive family. Often, a private adoption agency helps facilitate this match. 

In most cases, an agency provides a match and will provide you with background information on the child, allowing you to evaluate and accept or decline the match. The agency and birth mother generally choose the adoptive parents based on family profiles. 

The legal process begins by filing a petition for adoption in Ohio probate court. After that, you must complete preservice training as well as a home study before getting approved for adoption.

Adopting from Foster Care

Foster care provides temporary homes for children until the State can find them permanent homes. The system prioritizes returning children to their birth parents. Sometimes, though, the State determines that it’s in the child’s best interest for the birth parents’ parental rights to be terminated and for the child to be adopted by another family. 

Foster-to-adopt is an alternative pathway to private adoption. In Ohio, foster parents must be at least 18 years old, and at least one parent must be able to read, write, and speak English. Prospective parents must also complete pre-service training and a home study. 

Stepparent or Relative Adoption

Adopting a stepchild or related child in Ohio is often more straightforward than adopting through foster care or private agencies but still involves several legal steps. 

As a stepparent, you can legally adopt a stepchild younger than 18 if the birth parent who is not married to you gives their consent. However, this action terminates the legal relationship between the child and that birth parent. 

Before adopting a stepchild, you must complete similar requirements to foster care and private adoptions, including a home study and references.

A Deeper Look at Ohio Adoption Laws

Below, we dive deeper into specific Ohio adoption laws. 

Who is Eligible to Adopt in Ohio?

According to Ohio law, the following people can adopt a child:

• A husband and wife together, at least one of whom is an adult
• An unmarried adult
• A married adult without their partner in the following cases:
  • The other spouse consents
  • The two are separated
  • A court determines it is impossible to obtain consent from the other spouse
• Same-sex couples

That said, there are several steps involved in determining the suitability of adoptive parents. A court will grant an adoption only if it rules that the adoption is in “the child’s best interest.” As part of that process, the State will conduct a home study to ensure a safe and supportive environment for the child. 

The home study process will include a financial evaluation, so adoptive families in Ohio must have a stable income. 

Birth Parent Consent in Ohio

According to Ohio law, birth parents must wait 72 hours before a birth mother can terminate her parental rights and give consent for adoption. After giving consent, a birth mother can attempt to withdraw it before the entry of an interlocutory order, which typically happens within 30 to 45 days. 

If a man in Ohio believes he is the father of a child but isn’t married to the birth mother, he can register with the Putative Father Registry. He must register within 15 days of the child’s birth to protect his parental rights. 

The Home Study Process in Ohio

Each prospective parent in Ohio must complete a home study, which helps the State determine that your house and your life are ready to welcome a child. A home study is a requirement in every state, not just Ohio. 

At first glance, the home study requirement might cause a bit of anxiety – opening up your home to state employees and answering questions about your life can be a little awkward. But with the right preparation, you can manage your stress, remember that a home study is intended to ensure the safety of the child, and put your best foot forward. 

According to Ohio guidelines, the home study considers each prospective parent and each adult member of the household. The state runs a background check on each of these people and interviews each household member older than age four. 

Adoptive families must also provide financial statements, a medical statement, a fire safety inspection, and three references. Finally, they must also complete official pre-service training that prepares them for adoption.

Find Ohio Adoption Agencies and Professionals

Start your adoption journey in Ohio by using the state’s agency search tool. Below are some licensed agencies to help get you started.  

Statewide and National Agencies Serving Ohio 

• AdoptionCircle: Agency specializing in adoption services for children from birth through six months. 
• Adoption Link: Provides guidance and ongoing support to birth parents and adoptive families to facilitate matches. 
• Building Blocks Adoption Service: Provides financial assistance, prenatal care, and legal services to birth mothers. 
• Choosing Hope Adoptions: Comprehensive adoption agency serving Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, and Springfield. 
• Open Arms Adoptions: Offers services in 10 different cities across Ohio, including Cleveland, Dublin, and Marion.  
• Spirit of Faith Adoptions: Christian agency operating in Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo. 

Cincinnati Area Agencies

• Adoption Professionals: Founded by an adoptive mother, offers mentorship from previous birth and adoptive mothers. 
• Hamilton County Job and Family Services: County governmental agency in charge of adoptions in Cincinnati. 

Cleveland Area Agencies

• Bellefaire Jewish Children’s Bureau: Originally founded as an orphanage, now offers Hague-accredited international adoptions. 
• Catholic Charities Diocese of Cleveland: Has provided adoptions throughout eight counties in Cleveland diocese for a century. 
• Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services: County governmental agency in charge of adoptions in Cleveland. 

Columbus Area Agencies

• Franklin County Children’s Services: County governmental agency in charge of adoptions in Columbus. 

Ohio Adoption Attorneys

In most cases, adoptive families hire an attorney to help them navigate what can be a complex legal process. To find an attorney, the Ohio directory from the American Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys is a good place to start.  

Adopting from Foster Care in Ohio

Currently, more than 16,000 kids are involved in the state’s foster care system. Of these, around 3,000 children are eligible for adoption from foster care.  

The Ohio Department of Children and Youth is the primary agency overseeing foster care throughout the state. In Ohio, children enter the foster care system because their birth parents cannot provide a stable, secure home. Foster parents provide temporary care for children until the court determines that they can either return to their birth parents or should be placed with relatives or adoptive parents. 

To become a foster parent in Ohio, you must be at least 18 years old, and at least one adoptive parent must be able to read and write in English. You must be able to provide a bed for each child and separate bedrooms for boys and girls if the children are over age five. 

Once you’ve met these requirements, you can choose an agency and fill out an inquiry form. Next, you’ll complete pre-placement training, which consists of 24 hours of coursework, as well as a home study. Once you’re approved as a foster parent, you must complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years. 

The state prioritizes reunification with birth parents; however, if the state determines that reunification is not in the child’s best interest, it will terminate parental rights. At that point, foster children become eligible for adoption. 

Requirements to become a foster parent overlap with some Ohio adoption requirements. As such, the process for adopting a foster child is generally more streamlined. The process includes background checks, references, and a home study. Nationwide, 52% of children adopted in the foster care system are adopted by their foster parents. 

Start your adoption journey today by visiting Ohio’s Foster, Adoption, and Kinship Care website. 

Resources for Expectant Parents in Ohio

Choosing to place a child for adoption is one of the most difficult decisions in a birth parent’s life. If you are pregnant and weighing your options, just remember that you have rights and that you don’t have to go through the process alone. 

If you decide to place your child for adoption, remember that in Ohio, you cannot give consent to give up your parental rights until 72 hours after your child’s birth. Once you give your consent, you can try to withdraw it before the interlocutory order is entered, usually within 30 to 45 days; however, this process may prove difficult. 

Throughout your journey, you can seek support from a variety of sources. Adoption Circle, a statewide agency, provides comprehensive services for birth parents. If you are based in Cleveland, the Adoption Network nonprofit was founded to fill gaps and unmet needs for adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive parents. 

If you need support, don’t suffer alone. You can speak to a trained counselor who can help you talk through your options and make the best decision for you and your child. 

Sources

• https://fosterandadopt.jfs.ohio.gov/foster-care/becoming-a-foster-parent/how-to-become-a-foster-parent-in-ohio
• https://fosterandadopt.jfs.ohio.gov/foster-care/becoming-a-foster-parent/foster-parent-requirements
• https://www.pathwaycfc.org/foster-care/foster-care-stats/
• https://www.childwelfare.gov/resources/home-study-requirements-prospective-parents-domestic-adoption-ohio/
• https://www.lsc.ohio.gov/assets/organizations/legislative-service-commission/files/ohio-adoption-basics.pdf
• https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-3107.084
• https://www.americanadoptionsofohio.com/pregnant/adoption_law_birth_mother_rights_in_Ohio
• https://fclawlib.libguides.com/ohioadoptionlaw/laws#:~:text=The%20court%20will%20grant%20adoption%20if%20it,agency%20or%20a%20public%20child%20services%20agency
• https://www.kbhlawyers.com/blog/same-sex-family-law#:~:text=Same%2DSex%20Couples-,1
• https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-3107.03
• https://www.ohiobar.org/public-resources/commonly-asked-law-questions-results/family-relations/step-parent-adoption-is-permanent/
• https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-3107.081
• https://www.summitkids.org/child-services/foster-care/foster-care-adoption-faqs/
• https://adoptuskids.org/adoption-and-foster-care/how-to-adopt-and-foster/state-information/ohio
• https://www.clslawohio.com/news/how-does-private-adoption-work-27299
• https://www.bahanlawllc.net/practice-areas/family-law/adoption/#:~:text=Legal%20Requirements%20for%20Adoption%20in,abuse%20registry%20checks%20are%20mandatory
• https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/v1729535416/childrenandyouth.ohio.gov/For%20Partners/Title%20IV-E/DCY-01675.pdf

Disclaimer

The information contained on this website is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional legal advice. Always seek the advice of a licensed and qualified professional. While the content of this website is frequently updated, information changes rapidly and therefore, some information may be out of date, and/or contain inaccuracies, omissions or typographical errors.