In this article, our Lincoln Park adoption attorneys explain Illinois adoption law. Adoption in Illinois is governed by the Illinois Adoption Act. The following are the 5 different types of adoption:
- Related Adoption occurs when the person being adopted is related to the adopting parents. This happens when a step-parent wishes to adopt his or her step-child. The biological parent would be listed on the adoption petition as well as the step-parent.
- Agency Adoption occurs when an agency gives the authority to place a child with the adopting parents. This can happen when the biological parents voluntarily give their child to an adoption agency or when a court has terminated the biological parents' parental rights.
- Private adoption occurs outside an agency and neither adopting parents are related to the child being adopted.
- Adoption of an adult occurs when the child is 18 years or older when being adopted.
- Standby adoption occurs when a legal parent is terminally ill and agrees to a specific person adopting the child if the parent becomes too ill to take care of the child.
In order to be eligible to adopt in Illinois, you must not have a legal disability, have lived in Illinois for at least 6 months, and have a good reputation. In normal circumstances, the adopting parents must be over the age of 18, but the court has the discretion if good cause is presented.