Finalizing the Adoption
The adoptive parents and children usually attend a court hearing so the judge can finalize the adoption. The adoptive parents can request to waive this hearing if desired.
There are important final steps to take to get the child's birth certificate updated once the adoption is complete. Visit this page to learn more about the hearing and important steps to take after the adoption is final.
If you are having a hearing:
Contact your judge's staff to find out if you should attend in person or by Zoom.
Plan for the children and the adoptive parents to all attend the hearing. This is a special occasion and any other friends or family are welcome to attend too!
Arrive at the courthouse at least 20 minutes before the hearing so you have enough time to get through security and find the courtroom.
Make sure to bring all of the following with you:
- The children and any family/friends who want to attend.
- A camera! You are welcome to take pictures, and the judge is usually happy to take photos with the family after the hearing if you like.
- The Order of Adoption. You should complete all of the proposed Order so the judge can sign it after the hearing. Make sure you download, complete, and bring a copy of the Order with you.
Order of Adoption (pdf fillable)
At the hearing, the judge will ask some questions of the adoptive parents (and the children if they are old enough) to make sure all the requirements for an adoption are met. The hearing is usually short, lasting no more than 10 minutes.
At the end of the hearing, the judge will be able to sign the Order of Adoption. Make sure to let the judge know that you brought the Order with you so the judge can sign it right there for you.
If you are not having a hearing:
Prepare an Order of Adoption (above) and email it to the judge assigned to your case.
The subject line of your email should read: [case number] - DECA - [your last name]
For instance: D-24-123456-N - DECA - Smith
Check the Department Letter assigned to your case and email it to the correct email below:
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If you cannot email it, you can bring it to the court in person or you can mail it to 601 N. Pecos, Las Vegas, NV 89101 (mail takes 3-4 weeks to process).
The judge will review the order and sign it if approved. You will receive the order back by mail.
Important Steps to take after the Order of Adoption is signed:
You will need to contact the vital statistics office in the state where the child was born to find out how to get the birth certificate changed. They will likely need a certified copy of the Order of Adoption, which you can get for a small fee from the Clerk's Office.
If the child was born in Nevada, do the following:
1. Visit the Nevada Vital Records forms page and download the "Report of Adoption."
2. Fill out part 1 and part 2. Bring the form to the family courthouse and ask to see the Clerk's Office. The clerk will fill out part 3.
3. Ask the clerk for certified copies of the Order of Adoption. This will cost $3 for each certified copy (you may need several).
Make copies of the Order of Adoption NOW and keep them in a safe place!
If you lose your Order of Adoption (or give them all away to agencies), the court will not let you have any more copies without a specific written order from the judge. This can be difficult and time-consuming, and you may have to pay another $270 to get copies later.
Get as many regular and certified copies that you think you will ever need. You may want to get 5-10 copies just to be sure you always have some if needed. Put them in a safe place where you can access them years later!
4. Mail the original Report of Adoption and a certified copy of the Order of Adoption to Vital Statistics at the address listed on the Report of Adoption. They will not be returned to you, so be sure you have your own copies. Include the required fee which includes one new birth certificate, plus fees for any additional copies you want.
