Adoptions

Juvenile Adoption Cases

Any adult resident of this state, whether married, unmarried or legally separated is eligible to qualify to adopt children. The adoption of a child who is a member of a Native American Tribe or eligible for membership in a Native American Tribe is governed by the Indian Child Welfare Act.

In order to file a petition for adoption it must contain the following information.

• The full names, ages and place of residence of the petitioner and if married, the date and place of marriage and the relationship, if any, to the child.
• The fact that a certificate of acceptability to adopt the child has been issued in favor of the petitioner and the date of its issuance, unless not required under ARS § 8-105.
• The date when the petitioner acquired custody of the child and from what person or agency, or, if not in custody, the present custodial circumstances.
• The date and place of birth of the child.
• The name of the child or the fictitious name to be used in the proceedings and, if a change of name is desired, the name.
• That it is the desire of the petitioner to adopt the child.
• A full description and statement of the value of all property owned or possessed by the child.
• Any reason that consent need not be given.
• Full disclosure of any fees or anything of value given or paid to any person or organization in connection with the adoption.

Adoption Certification Cases

Adoption Certification (AC) is where the Court is responsible for certifying that a prospective adoptive parent is suitable to adopt. Per ARS (Arizona Revised Statute) ARS § 8-105, the Court will consider:

• A complete social history.
• The financial condition of the applicant.
• The moral fitness of the applicant.
• The religious background of the applicant.
• The physical and mental health condition of the applicant.
• Any court action for, or adjudication of, child abuse, abandonment of children, dependency or termination of parent-child relationship in which the applicant had control or custody of the child who was the subject of the action.
• The submission of a fingerprint card and the results of a check of official fingerprint records based on such submission.
• Whether the person or persons wish to be placed on the central adoption registry.
• All other facts bearing on the issue of the fitness of the prospective adoptive parents that the court, agency or division may deem relevant.

Preadoption certification is not required for adoptive parents if:

• The prospective adoptive parent is the spouse of the birth or legal parent of the child to be adopted or is an uncle, aunt, adult sibling, grandparent or great-grandparent of the child of the whole or half-blood or by marriage or adoption.
• The birth or legal parent is deceased but at the time of death the parent had legal and physical custody of the child to be adopted and the child had resided primarily with the spouse of the birth or legal parent during the twenty-four months before the death of the parent.
• The grandparent, great-grandparent, aunt, adult sibling or uncle is deceased but at the time of death that person had legal and physical custody of the child to be adopted and the child had resided primarily with the spouse of the grandparent, great-grandparent, aunt, adult sibling or uncle during the twenty-four months before the death of the grandparent, great-grandparent, aunt, adult sibling or uncle.
• If the applicant has adopted a child within three years preceding the current application and is applying to adopt another child or is a foster parent who is licensed by this state, the division or agency or a person designated by the court to conduct an investigation shall only provide an update report on any changes in circumstances that have occurred since the previous certification or licensing report.