To adopt a child in Rhode Island, you must file a petition with the Family Court and complete a home study conducted by a licensed social worker. Before the adoption can be finalized, the birth parents’ parental rights must be either voluntarily relinquished or terminated by the court. The process ends with a final hearing before a Family Court judge who reviews all documentation and, if satisfied, issues a final adoption decree. The specific steps vary depending on the type of adoption — domestic infant, foster care, stepparent, or kinship. An adoption attorney can guide you through the process from start to finish.
