The questions and answers below provide commonly requested information about adopting a child through the ministry. If, after reading these questions, you want more detailed information, contact the Ministry of Children and Family Development, or call
1-877-ADOPT-07 (1-877-236-7807). If you are interested in inter-country adoption, please call one of the licensed adoption agencies in British Columbia.

What is a homestudy or family assessment?

A homestudy includes an assessment of the prospective adoptive parent/s through visits to the home, and an educational component to prepare the prospective adoptive parent/s to meet the needs of the adopted child. A social worker completes a homestudy over several months.

If, after one year of your completed homestudy being registered, you have not had a child placed in your home, you have to complete a homestudy update form. Click here to download the "Annual Homestudy Update Report". (PDF forms require Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

Will I have to pay for the ministry's adoption services?

No fees are charged for adopting a special needs child in the care of the ministry.

How long does it take to adopt a child?

The length of time for the process varies, depending on the family and type of child they want to adopt. A homestudy can take from three to nine months, depending on individual circumstances. You may wish to discuss time-frames for your own process with your social worker.

What about financial assistance and other supports for adoptive parents of children with special needs?

Families with a demonstrated need may be eligible to receive financial assistance for services available not only to the child, but also to the family. These services include respite, counseling, special services to children, parenting or other training, and adoption support and information services.

The Post-adoption Assistance program is available for children who have been in the care of the ministry and are designated as eligible for the program. Prospective adopting parents should discuss their eligibility with a ministry worker.

Can I obtain information about or have contact with my child's birth parents or other significant people in my child's life after the adoption?

You may make an openness agreement with the birth parent(s) and other significant people in your child's life, which will set out the kind of information exchange and contact each of you would like and how often the exchange or contact will take place. Participation in an openness agreement is voluntary for both you and the birth parent(s). Openness in adoption recognizes the importance to a child's continued psychological and emotional health, development and well being of maintaining significant relationships.

If you did not make an Openness Agreement before the adoption was completed, you may wish to register on the Post-adoption Openness Registry. Contact the Registry at (250) 387-3660.