adoptsiooni

Adoptsiooni is a legal process through which a person becomes the permanent parent of a child who is not biologically theirs, creating a new parent-child relationship and transferring parental rights and duties from the birth parents to the adoptive parents. The term is used in many languages and derives from the Latin adoptio.

There are several forms of adoption. Domestic adoption occurs within the same country, while intercountry (international) adoption involves adopting a child from another country. Other distinctions include stepchild adoption, where a stepparent adopts a biological or previously adopted child, and relative or family adoption, where a relative becomes the legal parent. Adoptions can be open, with some level of ongoing contact between birth and adoptive families, or closed, with no ongoing information exchange. In some jurisdictions, adult adoption is permitted and serves to formalize a legal parent-child relationship between consenting adults.

The process typically involves an assessment of prospective adoptive parents, often through a home study, background checks, and consideration of the child’s needs. Consent from the birth parents or termination of parental rights by a court is usually required, followed by placement of the child with the adoptive family and a court finalization to legally establish the adoption. After finalization, the adoptive parents gain parental rights and responsibilities, and the child gains the same legal status as a biological child, including inheritance rights. Adoption records may be sealed or may allow access to certain information later in life, depending on the jurisdiction.

Ethical and welfare considerations, such as the child’s best interests, openness of records, and international safeguards, are central to adoption policy and practice.