Adoptions

Adoption petitions are processed by the Adoption Department, which is a division of the Washtenaw County Juvenile Court. This page contains general information including guidelines, checklists, and forms.

General Guidelines

  • The petitioners and / or the adoptee must be a resident of Washtenaw County.
  • This is a legal proceeding however, the court cannot give legal advice. The petitioner must determine whether or not they need the assistance of an attorney.
  • Filing fees must be paid at the time the petition is submitted with cash, MasterCard / Visa, check or money order payable to Washtenaw County Juvenile Court:
    • Petition for Adoption (PCA 301 or PCA 301a): $175
    • Order of Adoption (no charge for the first order): $12
    • Each subsequent petition or motion in a pending case: $20
    • Adoption Home Study Fee (assessed on all adoptions not involving an agency): $200
  • Costs for providing legal notices to respondents vary depending on where the birth parent(s) reside. Petitioners are responsible for service costs:
    • Personal Service fees: Current rate charged by process server
    • Publication fees current rate charged by newspaper
  • A request to waive filing fees may be made to the court by submitting an Affidavit and Order, Suspension of Fees (MC 20), if the petitioner is receiving public assistance or meets established poverty level guidelines.
  • There are four phases in the processing of an adoption petition:
    1. Acceptance and processing of an adoption petition.
    2. Completion of the home study investigation and supervision process for filing and processing Adoption Petitions-$200 fee.
    3. Termination of Parental Rights (except in adult adoption cases).
    4. Confirmation / Finalization of adoption

Service

  • Birth parents must be served with Supplemental Petitions (PCA 302) and Petitions to Identify Father and Determine His Rights (PCA 310) and notice of hearing dates on such petitions. (Except in the case of a putative father who has filed a custody statement denying interest in the child and waiving his right to notice of hearings.)
  • The Court will schedule the evidentiary hearing 30 days from the filing of the petition in order to allow enough time for at least one method of service (when the birth parent resides in a state other than Michigan, additional time may be needed by the process server to achieve service).
  • When attorneys or agency personnel assist petitioners, the attorney or agency will be responsible for attempting / achieving service (of petitions and notice of hearings) on birth parents, as well as notifying petitioners of hearings dates. The court will accept certified restricted mail or personal service as a first attempt. If service is not achieved by the first method, for legal parents, alternate service by publication will be ordered. The attorney or agency shall immediately inform the Court that the first attempt was not successful to receive a new date for hearing (within 30 days) and an order for publication.
  • When attorneys or agency personnel do not assist petitioners, the court staff will be responsible for all facets of service. The first attempt will be personal service. If personal service is not achieved, for legal parents, alternate service by publication will be ordered. The hearing will be rescheduled within 30 days of the first failed attempt at service.
  • Petitioners are required to reimburse the Court for the cost of personal service and publication prior to the entry of a final order of adoption.

Additional Information

Obtaining adoption records to secure a passport:

  • If born in Michigan, contact Vital Records in Lansing to request a new copy of the birth certificate with the Delayed Date removed. Their office can be contacted by phone at 517-335-8660.
  • If only a certified copy of the Order of Adoption is required, the fee is $31 and can be requested by using form PCA 327. Payment must be submitted in the form of cash, MasterCard / Visa, check or money order made payable to Washtenaw County Juvenile Court. A copy of a valid driver’s license of the petitioner must also be submitted.