Adoption

Although there are many reasons for adoption, few experiences in life can bring the same joy, challenge, and satisfaction as raising a child to become a happy, successful adult.  If you are thinking about, or have made the decision to adopt, you will have many questions. The purpose of this fact sheet is to describe Saskatchewan's adoption program and the various types of adoption available to you.Saskatchewan Community Resources and Employment is required, by law, to maintain records of all adoptions finalized in Saskatchewan. The Adoption Act and The Adoption Regulations, govern adoption in Saskatchewan.

Domestic Adoption

Domestic adoption refers to the adoption of a child who is permanently in the care of the Minister of Saskatchewan Community Resources and Employment. Birth parents may complete a voluntary committal shortly after the birth of their child or children may be apprehended and made permanent wards by the court. These children may be infants, or older children and include those who may have special needs including physical health issues or intellectual impairment. Children who are permanently committed to the care of the Minister of Community Resources and Employment may be adopted if they are legally free for adoption and adoption is considered the best lifeplan for them. These children are matched with potential adoptive parents who have had a homestudy report completed. Processing the adoption through court is done by Community Resources and Employment.

Assisted Adoption

The Assisted Adoption Program may provide assistance to adoptive families who are interested in the challenge of parenting children who have special needs and are in the care of the Minister of Community Resources and Employment prior to adoption. This program is discussed with families pursuing adoption of children with special needs.

Intercountry Adoption

Residents of Saskatchewan who wish to adopt a child from another country must make an application to DCRE and meet the requirements for intercountry adoption. A guide for those who wish to adopt a child from another country is available on this website.

How does the adoption process begin?

If you are interested in adopting a child, the first thing to do is contact your local Community Resources and Employment office. An Adoption Caseworker will arrange an appointment to discuss adoption options with you and help you determine which adoption programs you may wish to apply for. Once you have completed an application form, you will be registered on a provincial waiting list. Time on the waiting list will vary depending on a number of factors including the number of children available for adoption and the number of approved adoptive parents waiting.

What is the homestudy report?

The homestudy report is a consolidation of information and insight from various sources on the ability of the applicants to parent an adopted child. The homestudy process involves a series of interviews between yourself and your adoption worker. The homestudy process gives you an opportunity to prepare for adoption and gives your worker a chance to get to know you. A homestudy usually takes three to six months and includes references, a physician's medical report and a criminal record check. To ensure home-study reports reflect current information an update is required every two years.

What happens to the homestudy report?

After the homestudy has been completed, it is registered at the Central Adoption Registry. When birth parents make an adoption plan, their request includes the criteria they want in an adoptive family. Their request is registered centrally and then matched to the range of acceptance of several prospective adoptive parents. Birth parents are given the opportunity to consider several adoption homestudies that may meet the expectations they have for prospective adoptive parents of their child.

How long does an adoption take?

This is a difficult question to answer, because each adoption application is different. Factors which affect the waiting period include:

• how open a relationship you are willing to have with birth parents;
• the age of child and specific factors in the child's health, social background and current circumstances you are able to accept;
• the number of children for whom adoption is being planned at any given time.

When does an adoption become legal?

When the adoption order is signed by the judge, you become the child's legal parent. Typically, it takes no more than one year, from the time the child joins your family, for an adoption to become final. Generally, an infant adoption is finalized three to six months after the infant is placed in your home. When the adoption placement involves an older child there is a longer adjustment period. Once the child and the adoptive parents have had an opportunity to get to know one another, and feel comfortable with one another, an application is made to court for the final adoption order.

How much does an adoption cost?

Community Resources and Employment does not charge any registration or homestudy fees for a domestic adoption. There may be costs for certain documents: medical reports, criminal record checks as well as in-province travel.Intercountry adoptions involve greater costs including homestudy fees, document authentication, travel, etc.  Other adoptions, including independent, step-parent and adult adoption, are generally handled by a lawyer and may include costs for an independent homestudy, legal fees, and the costs of documents and travel.

What about other adoption options?

Independent Adoption

Birth parents may make arrangements with someone they know, to adopt their child.   A homestudy is conducted by an independent practitioner, approved by Community Resources and Employment. An independent adoption is usually processed through the court with the help of a lawyer.

Step-parent Adoption

An individual may, with the consent of his or her spouse, apply to the court to adopt a child of that spouse if the child is either living with them or being cared for by them. Step-parent adoptions are processed with the help of a lawyer.

Adult Adoption

A person who is 18 years of age or older, may be adopted if he/she consents and the court considers the reason for the adoption acceptable. Adult adoptions are processed with the help of a lawyer.

Is there a Post Adoption Program?

The Saskatchewan Post Adoption Registry was established in 1982. Since then it has handled hundreds of requests for information or contact from those involved in the adoption process. Services through the Post Adoption Registry include provision of non-identifying information, search and contact, passive registration, specific documents, and special search services. Saskatchewan Community Resources and Employment charges fees for these services. For more information contact:

Post Adoption Registry

1920 Broad Street

Regina, SK S4P 3V6

787-3654 or 1-800-667-7539

Openness in Adoption

In the past, people thought it was best that adoption be kept secret. Although it is still a private matter today, the majority of birth parents who make an adoption decision for their infant, request some openness in the adoption. Openness refers to the relationship between the adoptive family and the birth family. The relationship may involve the exchange of letters and pictures or visits without the exchange of identifying information or it may involve a relationship where identifying information is exchanged. Birth parents and adoptive parents decide together on the communication and/or contact they will have. Each adoption is negotiated to meet the needs of birth parents, adoptive parents, and the child.

The range of openness options may include:

• birth and adoptive parents deciding to meet but not giving identifying information about themselves;
• birth and adoptive parents meeting and exchanging identifying information;
• birth parents requesting adoptive parents be present at the birth of the baby; and
• birth parents and adoptive parents exchanging letters, and sometimes pictures, either through Community Resources and Employment or directly.

What are the Benefits of Open Adoption?

Birth parents involved in planning adoption for their child want to be reassured the adoption plan they make is the best one possible. Increasingly, adoptive parents are appreciating the many benefits to the child when birth parents have an active role in choosing adoptive parents and there is the opportunity to develop a relationship and have some form of ongoing contact. Open adoption is about maintaining some communication between the child and the birth and adoptive parents. It is a way for the birth parents to tell their child that they are loved and will always be loved by their birth parents, as well as their adoptive parents.

Openness in adoption can also help assure birth parents they made a good decision in planning adoption for their child. Birth parents report it is helpful in resolving the feelings of grief and loss they experience. Receiving communication by letter, or in person, from the birth parent, can be reassuring to the adoptive parents. Many adoptive parents report that such contact puts them in a more confident position to answer a child's questions about their family of origin. Successful openness in adoption depends on matching adoptive parents and birth parents who are committed to the agreement they mutually negotiate.

For further information about adoption, contact your local Community Resources and Employment office.

You may also contact the Provincial Adoption Consultant

Saskatchewan Community Resources and Employment

12th. Floor, 1920 Broad Street

Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 3V6

Telephone: 787-5698

 

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