Discover The 4 Steps To Giving Up A Kid For Adoption Ontario

Unplanned pregnancies can have a devastating effect on your life especially if you don’t have the means to provide for a newborn yet. That’s where giving up a child for adoption Ontario process comes into play.

You can give your child their best chance at life by putting them up for adoption. Deciding about such matters is difficult, especially if you don’t know the process for giving up a child for adoption in Ontario.

Luckily, you don’t have to worry any further. Our adoption lawyer Scarborough will guide you all about it today.

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Adoption Laws In Ontario: Key Elements

About 2,000 children given up for adoption are able to find a home every year in Canada. Adoption is a legal process in Ontario that allows you to give your baby a chance at a good future if you’re not able to do that.

Giving up a child for adoption is a life-changing process and it is normal to have conflicting emotions. Canadian law states that any pregnant person can give up a child for adoption if both parents consent to it.

Meanwhile, only people above the age of 18 can apply to adopt a child in Ontario. If you give your child, the government will do its best to find a family that meets the requirements to adopt a child in Ontario.

You can also look for a family and give your child to them by following adoption laws. This method is preferable for pregnant mothers who don’t want to leave their newborns at an adoption center.

How To Give A Child Up For Adoption In Ontario?

When giving a child up for adoption in Ontario, you must follow the correct legal process. Otherwise, you may face penalties for family law violations. Let’s look at the detailed process:

1. Know The Adoption Ontario Options

Giving up a child for adoption Ontario is already a difficult decision, but you may face more conflicting moments throughout the process. The first thing you must decide when giving up a kid is whether you want any contact with them later.

Legally, you can follow one of the three paths below:

Open Adoption involves exchanging identifying information with the new parents. You will also have contact with the people adopting your child.

Semi-Open Adoption in Ontario is for pregnant parents who want to exchange their non-identifying information with adoptive parents. You will not have any direct contact with them.
Closed Adoption is for people who want to give up a child anonymously. Your identity will not be disclosed to the adoptive parents nor will your contact details be revealed.

Each type of adoption in Ontario has its benefits and drawbacks. With an open adoption, you may be able to meet your child later if the adoptive parents schedule a meeting with you.

Meanwhile, closed adoption means you cannot meet the child or exercise any parental rights. The adoptive parents can also sue you if you try to contact the kid without their permission.

Navigating these adoption laws may seem difficult, but a family lawyer Scarborough and Whitby can help you.

2. Receive Counselling For Adoption In Ontario

An unplanned pregnancy can take a toll on your mental health. You may be conflicted about giving up a child for adoption in Ontario due to different fears.

That’s why it’s necessary to undergo counselling before making a decision. The step is not a legal requirement, but it will be helpful in various situations.

You can meet with agency workers from Children’s Aid Societies or private organizations. Such a person will not only offer you guidance but also help you understand the right process for giving up a child.

An adoption lawyer in Ontario can also connect you with relevant legal organizations that aid people with adoption processes.

3. Choose Adoptive Parents For Your Kid

Many people lack awareness about adoption laws in Canada. Some parents abandon their children at the doorsteps of a church, adoption centers, or orphanages.

Such an action may seem the easy option because there will be no paperwork to file. Hiding your identity also seems easier with such gestures. However, this can affect your kid’s life significantly.

Many children who are abandoned at adoption centers or police stations are unable to find a home later. They may also be paired with a foster home where they face abuse or other issues.

If you want to give your child the best future, it is better to follow the legal adoption process in Ontario. Contacting a family lawyer can help you determine the best route for giving up your child for adoption.

You can evaluate pre-approved couples with your lawyer to determine who is best for raising your child. Meeting the adoptive parents before your pregnancy is due can also help you discuss details such as:

Hospital plan for birth if you haven’t delivered yet
Relationship with the adoptive parents after giving up the child
Any one-on-one contact you can have with your baby once they’ve grown up

Following this legal process will help you place your kid in a good home in Canada.

4. Place Your Child For Adoption Ontario

Once you’ve discussed the details of giving up your child for adoption Ontario, the only thing remaining is the placement. Most placements usually occur at the hospital, but you may have to take the baby home if paperwork for adoption is still left.

If you don’t have a home where the child can stay until the paperwork is complete, you may leave them at your adoption center. Of course, you will have to confirm with your adoption center whether they offer such an option.

Some agencies only connect pregnant parents with adoptive parents. Others collaborate with social workers or temporary foster parents who can care for the child before the placement is complete.

Giving Up A Child For Adoption In Ontario Cost

There is no giving up a child for adoption in Ontario cost for the birth parents. If you’re a pregnant mother, releasing your kid for adoption, you don’t have to pay any agency. This is regardless of whether you’re going through a public or private router.

Typically, adoptive parents are supposed to cover the fees of the adoption process. Such a system has been designed to ensure birth parents’ decisions are not affected by financial obligations.

FAQs

How To Give Up A Child For Adoption In Ontario?

You can give up a child for adoption Ontario by placing your child through the Children’s Aid Society or a private adoption agency.

How Long Does Giving Up A Child For Adoption Ontario Take?

Completing the requirements to give up a child for adoption Ontario can take six months to one year. The exact time depends on how long it takes to find good adoptive parents, develop a placement plan, and sign adoption consent.

What Happens When A Baby Is Given Up For Adoption?

If you give up a baby for adoption Ontario, they won’t be placed in a foster home if you set up a proper adoption plan. A family lawyer can connect you with a public or private agency that will help you find adoptive parents.

Contact Barnett Law For More Information About Giving Up A Child For Adoption Ontario

Navigating the adoption process is a deeply personal journey filled with complex emotions and important decisions. Barnett Law offers compassionate, expert guidance to support you through every step of giving up a child for adoption Ontario.

We ensure you receive comprehensive legal advice, emotional understanding, and professional assistance during this significant life transition. Contact us today to meet our adoption lawyer in Ontario to learn more about adoption laws.

Author Profile

Barnett Law

Barnett Law is a trusted and knowledgeable lawyer in Scarborough. Her expertise spans real estate law, family law, adoptions and fertility law. A lawyer by profession and a humanitarian by heart, Athena Narsingh Barnett wants to help people become more familiar with the legal system and be well-informed to make important legal decisions.