Adoptions

Adults and children may be adopted. This will focus on a child adoption. You may find additional information in Section 48.81 – 48.978 of the Wisconsin Statutes.

The Court of the county where the proposed adoptive parent or child resides, upon the filing of a petition for adoption or for the adoptive placement of a child, has jurisdiction over the child until the petition is withdrawn, denied or granted. Venue shall be in the county where the proposed adoptive parent or child resides at the time the petition is filed. The Court may transfer the case to a court in the county in which the proposed adoptive parents reside.

Upon the filing of a “Petition for Adoption”, the Court shall schedule a date and time for hearing within 90 days of the filing. Notice of the hearing shall be mailed to the guardian of the child, if any, and to the agency making the investigation.

The following documents must be filed prior to an adoption being completed:

• Petition for Adoption
• Order for Hearing and Investigation
• Certified Copy of Termination of Parental Rights
• Certified Copy of Original Birth Certificate
• Recommendation of Guardian
• Record of Adoption
• Report of Adoption
• Order for Adoption (to be signed the day of the hearing, if petition is granted).

There is no filing fee for adoptions in Iowa County, but on the date of the final hearing, the parties are required to pay a filing fee for the State of Wisconsin. The filing fee is $20.00. If the parties are requesting a certified copy of the birth certificate, it is $20.00 for the first copy, and $3.00 for each additional copy.

This is a brief explanation of some of the Register in Probate’s responsibilities. If you have specific questions, please call our office at (608) 935-0347. As stated above, this office cannot give legal advice. There are many attorneys in the area that can give legal advice, and a listing of attorney’s will be provided upon request.