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Adoption order hearing processes and next steps



Back in October, i submitted an adoption order request (Ten weeks), it took three court sessions (five dates), but earlier this month I had the call to say the adoption order was granted.

What does this mean?

Once the Adoption Order is granted the child is legally adopted by you and you have full parental responsibility for him or her. The child is now a full member of your family and can take your surname. 

How did it work? 

We didn't need to attend ourselves. This/These hearings are more about the original birth family and the social workers. We were just waiting for a phone call after each hearing to let us know what had happened.
The process generally now is that there is a first directions hearing. If an objection has been raised (/requested) then there may be some further hearings (like ours needed) to hear the birth family's response. 
If all objections are put to bed, there will then be a final hearing to issue to Adoption Order. It appears having this as a separate session is a relatively new as this was something that my daughter's social worker was unaware that we'd need another separate date for the AO to be agreed. 

What next? 

Once an Adoption Order has been granted a copy of the Adoption Order relating to each child will be sent to you from the Court where the Adoption hearing took place. The Court also sends a copy of the Adoption Order to the General Register Office (GRO).* 

A new birth certificate is then produced in their new (adoptive) name. This document is known as an adoption certificate and replaces the original birth certificate for all legal purposes. 

We should then a letter confirming the entry has been made in the Adopted Children Register and how to order copies of a short or full certificate. 

Next steps processing time? 

*Originally, I was inaccurately told this would be sent out on the day, but most people have been telling me this takes about 6 weeks. I've now found documentation documentation explaining the full details; but in short

  • Approximately 3 weeks for the GRO to receive the Adoption Order from the Court.  
  • 4 weeks for the General Register Office to process.
  • Once received GRO reference, we (the adopter/s) apply for the adoption certificate
  • 15 days for standard/1 day for priority

Celebration 

However, once the Adoption Order is granted, you will have the opportunity to bring your child to a Celebration gathering at the court to meet the judge or magistrate who made the Adoption Order."

https://www.first4adoption.org.uk/the-adoption-process/moving-in-becoming-a-family/#:~:text=Adoption%20Certificates,and%20can%20take%20your%20surname 

My current thinking is to try to tie this in with a naming ceremony for friends and family, as my understanding is that the court celebrations are quite limited on numbers (~10 people) 


**
Related links:
https://frg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/210824-3c-Challenging-adoption-orders.pdf
Note for Parents: What happens after the Court Order goes through (publishing.service.gov.uk)


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