Adoption

If you've come here out of an interest in adopting a child, there are three very basic "factors" you need to consider:

1. Actually finding a child.
   
   
2. Getting a home study done by a Ministry approved Adoption Practitioner. (You don't have to wait for a child in order to
   get a home study done and you should do so as soon as you can. And... the very best way to find a child is through "networking." Never hold back from sharing your need with those who cross your path. You never know!)
   
   
3. There are now different procedures, legislation and agencies in Ontario for domestic and international (inter-country) adoptions. An application to adopt a child can be made by an individual and jointly by two individuals who are spouses of one another or by other individuals who are not spouses that the court may allow.

In Ontario, private adoptions are handled by individuals known as Licensees and adoption agencies, both licensed by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services.  Marty Klein of our firm is a Licensee, licensed by the Province of Ontario to place children for private (domestic) adoptions within Ontario. As Licensee, Marty is responsible for the overall management of a proposed adoption placement and subsequent probationary period, until the legal completion of the adoption. In more or less words, a Licensee is a "facilitator," coordinating documentation and the various parties (adopting parents, birth parents, birth parent counsellor, adoption practitioners [homestudy], foster parents and others) and the Ministry.

The Licensee ensures that the requirements of the laws governing adoption in Ontario are complied with. Once an approval of a placement is received from the Ministry, the Licensee places the child with the adopting parents. After all the consents are complied with, although the child is physically resident with the adopting parents, legally, the Licensee assumes the legal custody of the child until the adoption is finalized by an adoption order granted by the court.

Adoption Resources