An adoption is a legal proceeding that creates a parent-child relationship between persons not related by blood.  The adopted child is entitled to all privileges belonging to a natural child of the adoptive parent(s), including the right to inherit.

Private placement adoptions are conducted when individuals seek to adopt without the aid of a child care or adoption agency.  Adoptive parents who wish to adopt a child under these circumstances must be "pre-certified" (approved) to have temporary custody of the child while the court decides if they can adopt the child.

An "agency adoption" is an adoption of a child who is in the legal, custody of an agency and the rights of the birth parents have been legally terminated. Agency adoptions are handled through the foster care agency, which investigates the home of adoptive parents and prepares and files the necessary papers and reports with the court.

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