Same-sex couples may be hesitant to begin the adoption process due to a lack of knowledge of the applicable laws. Many uncertainties surround the whole exercise, preventing same-sex couples who intend to have children from fulfilling their wishes.
If you are a same-sex couple residing in New York and wish to adopt a child through an agency, here is what you need to know.
How the process of same-sex adoption works
New York is among the most liberal states when it comes to same-sex unions. State laws prohibit any form of discrimination relating to adoption, either based on gender or sexual orientation. It means that same-sex couples have the same opportunity to adopt as single individuals or heterosexual couples.
The basic steps include choosing an adoption agency and submitting your application. After that, you need to complete a home study or family assessment to determine your suitability to adopt and provide parental care. You may also have to attend training on adoptive parenting to develop the necessary skills and knowledge.
Keep in mind that adoption is not a one-off process. Even if the child is placed with your family, there will be some supervision by the agency for a while. This is done to ensure that the child is comfortable in the family. The final steps involve paperwork with the court to formalize the adoption and secure your legal rights as the child’s parents.
What you need to remember when adopting
Being both an emotional and legal process, you need to get everything right in your adoption and ensure you protect your legal rights. While it is illegal to discriminate against same-sex couples seeking adoption, you may still face some prejudice. Therefore, you need to anticipate such challenges along the way and deal with them accordingly.