FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ADOPTION

Question
What kind of adoption service do you offer?

Answer
Agreed Adoptions and Uncontested Adoptions.

Question
Do you have a placement service?

Answer
No. We provide service for prospective adoptive parents of related children, step-children, or other children already living in the home of the prospective adoptive parents. We are not a placement agency.

Question
What is an AGREED ADOPTION ?

Answer
An adoption is agreed if the known living biological parents are available and willing to sign a document consenting to the adoption.

Question
What is an UNCONTESTED ADOPTION?

Answer
An adoption is uncontested if neither of the biological parents, or any other interested party disputes your right to adopt the child in court

Question
How do I get started and exactly how does this work?

Answer
You start by getting a worksheet from us, filling it out, and submitting it to us with the appropriate fee. Using the information you provide us in the worksheet, we prepare a complete set of documents that contains all the paperwork you need to file the adoption action. When we return the documents to you, all you have to do is sign them, have your signatures notarized and deliver them to the clerk of the court. The court then processes the adoption and issues the final decree of adoption.

Question
How do I get a worksheet?

Answer
Worksheets are available on our website. Just go to the products and services page and scroll down to the adoption worksheet, then double click on the desired worksheet, (PDF OR ELECTRONIC) Click on the Electronic Option to fill out and submit on line with payment by electronic check, or If you prefer, you may double click on the PDF form and download and print the worksheet and submit it and the fee by regular mail. You will need the adobe reader program or some similar program to download and print the PDF worksheet. You can get the Adobe reader free at the following link:

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readermain.html

You may also receive a worksheet via regular mail by calling our toll free number (800) 303-1170 and leaving your name and address on our voice mail, or e-mailing a request for a worksheet to ncdproservice@aol.com

Question
I can't download the worksheet from your website. What can be done?

Answer
The most common reason a form cannot be downloaded is because the user does not have an electronic document reader. Here is a link for an excellent one in case you do not have it. It is a free download. When you get to the site rest the cursor on "DOWNLOADS" and a link entitled "Free Acrobat Reader" will appear. Just click on the link and follow the instructions to get your free version.

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readermain.html

Question
What happens after you send the appropriate documents to me. What do I need to do? Do I file the documents at a local court? Do I have to appear before a judge and how long does that process take after I file? Will I have to go to court?

Answer
The phrase "go to court" means different things to different people. There is a difference in "going to the courthouse" and "going to trial". You do go to the courthouse to file the documents we prepare for you. However, you do not go to trial because there is no trial. The judge has the right to have you come in to the courthouse to ask any questions the court has about your case. Such meetings are not adversary and often the case is handled on the basis of the paperwork.

Question
How long will it take for the adoption to be final?

Answer
Our goal is to have your documents completed and returned to you within 30 days from the day we receive them. They will arrive ready to be signed and filed with the court. The adoption is normally final within 60 days of filing. However, that can be affected by a heavy volume of cases filed in the same time frame as yours.

Question
Will I have to have a HOME STUDY done?

Answer
The answer is "maybe". The home study is waived in many cases, particularly when the child is related and/or already living in the home of the prospective new parents. If the court believes it is in the best interest of the child to have a home study it will be so ordered. If not, it will be waived.

Question
Are there any other fees beside yours?

Answer
There is a filing fee paid directly to the court at the time of the filing. The clerk of the court in your county can tell you the exact amount of the fee. Adoptions are normally filed in the State Court, not the county court. State Courts are usually called Circuit Court, District Court, Superior Court, or Family Court and the phone number for the clerk is listed in the government section of your phone book under the State listings.

Question
Can I still file an adoption petition using your service if one of the biological parents is missing?

Answer
Yes. It is simply a matter of filing the correct paperwork which will include an affidavit to the effect that you do not know the whereabouts of missing parent. We provide the affidavit and the court publishes a notice in the paper instead of serving a summons as they would in cases in which the address of the parent is known.

Question
What if one of the biological parents will not consent to the adoption?

Answer
Both parents do not have to consent or sign for you to obtain an uncontested adoption. If the legal guardian of the child consents we will prepare papers in proper format for the court to serve a summons on the other parent. Even if that parent ignores the summons the court will issue the decree without the spouse's signature under a procedure referred to as "default judgment".

Question
How do I know Nationwide Court Documents provides a legitimate service?

Answer
You can obtain information about our company by contacting the reporting organization at (602) 264-1721. You will be prompted for a phone number for our company, enter our toll free number 800 303 1170 and you will be given our report.


Phone: 1-866-321-8670 • Email: info@nationwidecourtdocuments.com

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