Finalization Hearing

Finalization Hearing: A court hearing where in most states an adoption becomes final. Usually, the adoptive parents and the child to be adopted go to court with the adoption caseworker, and their lawyer if it is an independent adoption, and provide testimony to the court regarding the appropriateness of the adoption. If the judicial officer is satisfied that all legal requirements have been met, and that the adoption would be in the best interests of the child, the Decree of Adoption will be signed, finalizing the adoption, and the Certificate of Adoption will be signed and transmitted to the Department of Vital Records, so that the child's new birth certificate can be created and properly issued.