Things to Do After Adoption
After your child is adopted, you need to acquire the final decree of adoption, a new birth certificate, and social security card for your child.
Final Decree of Adoption:
This document is presented to the adoption attorney on the day of adoption.
If your attorney does not offer it to you within one week of your child’s adoption, please reach out to them and ask for it.
You will need this document to prove that you adopted your child.
Birth Certificate:
Your adoption attorney will send a document to the state explaining that your child is adopted with all of your information.
Your child’s birth certificate will arrive in the mail with your name and your spouse’s, if you have a partner. The birth certificate will appear as though you are the birth parent of your adopted child. If you change your child’s name at the time of adoption, the new name will appear on the new birth certificate.
If you do not receive your child’s new birth certificate in the mail, please reach out to your adoption attorney and your local vital records office.
Social Security Card:
Bring your child’s new birth certificate with you along with the final decree of adoption to your local social security office.
