Government of New Brunswick

Adoption – Older and Special Needs Children

Social Development

Overview

Adoption provides a child with a permanent family where he/she can enjoy the conditions, experiences and opportunities for healthy growth and development when a child cannot remain with his/her birth parent(s) and establishes a legal parent-child relationship.

Eligibility

In New Brunswick, one must be over the age of 19 and a resident of the Province of New Brunswick. Applicants must meet the non-negotiable eligibility criteria before proceeding with the application and individuals who meet the non-negotiable eligibility criteria and wish to proceed with the adoption process must complete the Pride Pre-Service Training and any other approved training required by the Department.

Individuals will be required to submit the following documents;
- birth certificates
- for joint applicants, proof of a stable relationship for at least two years;
- medical check / criminal check / Department of Social Development record check;
- financial statement;
- any other document that be required

A home study will be completed and upon completion of the home study a decision is made on whether or not the family is approved to adopt a child. Applicants will be notified in writing the decision of the Case Approval Conference

Description

These adoptions typically involve children over the age of two. Applicants in addition to meeting all the eligibility requirements must complete 27 hours of PRIDE Pre-Service Training.

The primary focus in all adoptions remains the best interests of the child. Persons have the right to apply to become adoptive parents but the decision on whether they are actually approved to adopt rests with the Department.

Some of the Departmental services performed within the Adoption Program

- Recruitment of adoptive families for the children in the care of the Minister
- Provide information and training sessions to prospective adoptive parents.
- Assess prospective adoptive families interested in adopting a child through the Minister.
- Assist approved adoptive parents through the decision making process regarding the placement of a child in their home.
- Determine whether a subsidized adoption is required to help adoptive parents defray the costs incurred when the applicant is adopting an older, special needs child or sibling group who has/have been in the care of the Minister.
- Provide support and follow up services for court purposes to adoptive parents once a child has been placed in the adoptive home.

The Department has no fees associated with the services that the Department will provide but there may fees associated with the gathering of the documentation from other sources.