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A newborn or relative adoption usually takes several months to complete. That process is more extensive and requires more paperwork, a home visit and longer interviews.
For every adoption there is a $260 filing fee at the Clerk’s Office. Each report has a different fee: Stepparent reports are $300; Relative reports are $550. During the report process, there are small fees for criminal background checks, and on the date of finalization, there will be fees for the new birth certificate and certified copies of the adoption decree.
All children participate in the adoption process. Children with verbal skills usually have an understanding of their own adoption. School-aged children will be part of the interview process.
All adoptions are finalized on Friday mornings at Pierce County Juvenile Court (Remann Hall).
There are currently no in-person or virtual adoption hearings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
You must notify the birth father even if his identity is unknown, not listed, or has been absent for many years.
After the finalization of an adoption, all files are sealed and can only be opened by court order. Adult adoptees can hire a confidential intermediary to get a court order to get birth information and search for birth parents. Contact the Clerk's Office for more information.
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