Adoptions
The Juvenile Court oversees the filing, in-home investigations, and finalization of all adoptions in Eaton County. In some circumstances this division will also handle post adoption matters. The Juvenile Court staff will protect the confidentiality of parties throughout the court process as required under Michigan law. The Juvenile Court staff takes pride in helping parties resolve matters in a timely and professional manner.
All paperwork should be filed in the Juvenile Court building. If hearings are scheduled on an adoption case, these hearings are held in the Probate Court in the main courthouse.
Types of Adoptions
Adoptions provide permanency and stability for the county’s children and some adults through relative, guardian, stepparent, adult, agency-filed, and direct placement adoptions.
For more information on the most common types of adoptions, please see the tabs and informational packets in the listing below.
Family members may adopt their relatives through a relative adoption process. Guardians may also adopt their wards through a similar process. Parents may choose to consent to this adoption or hearings on parental rights may be required.
Complete information must be filed with the Court to begin this process.
Stepparents may adopt their stepchildren through this court process. Legal parents may need to consent to this process or other proceedings may be necessary to address parental rights.
Complete information must be filed with the Court to begin this process.
- Stepparent Adoption Checklist
- Stepparent Adoption Face Sheet
- Petition for Adoption
- Stepparent Background Check
- Stepparent Social History
- Reference Letters
- Adoption Report for New MI Birth Record
- Petitioner's Verified Accounting
In certain circumstances, stepparents adoptions may be rescinded. Specifically, both the adoptee and the original birth parent must be in agreement to petition the Court together for this purpose.
Adoptions are not just for children. Adults may be adopted by other adults under certain circumstances. Social histories and background checks are necessary for all parties - including both the petitioner(s) and adoptees.
Complete information must be filed with the Court to begin this process.