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1. How much does an adoption cost?

The filing fee for an adoption is $183.00. If the Court’s Assessors are performing the home study for the adoption, an additional $750.00, plus $50.00 for each additional child will be due. 

2. How do I obtain my background checks?

ackground checks may be obtained from any location that offers a Webcheck®. All background checks submitted for probate court actions must be an FBI and BCI background check.

You can find a location by clicking the link below. Be sure to select the proper county for locating a Webcheck® location.

https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/business/services-for-business/webcheck/webcheck-community-listing

For the purposes of guardianship background checks, the code associated is 2151.42

For the purposes of adoption background checks, the code associated is 2151.86.

3. How do I obtain a copy of the Child Abuse Registry search?

Please follow the instructions here: https://www.greenecountyohio.gov/DocumentCenter/View/26848/Child-Abuse-Registry---Instructions-on-How-to-Obtain-PDF

4. Do I have to have a home study done?

Yes. Home studies are required on all adoptions, with the exception of Adult Adoptions and Foreign Adoptions. Foreign Adoptions that have been completed in another country do not require a home study to be recognized and have an Ohio Birth Certificate prepared.

5. What does a home study involve?

All adoptions must have a home study completed per Ohio law, with the exception of Adult Adoptions and Foreign Adoptions. If you are not going through an agency the Court will appoint an Adoption Assessor. The Adoption Assessor will send you a packed by mail once the Court has accepted your filings. 

The packet includes:

1. A letter from the assessor with their contact information
2. A checklist of all documents that you must gather and/or complete
3. Specific forms that the Court requires to be completed

Your packet must be completed prior to the assessor visiting your home. Everyone who lives in the home MUST be present for the home visit with the assessor.

6. How can I obtain medical information from an adoption file?

If you would like to have us review your file to determine if there is medical history, you must send the following to: Greene County Probate Court, 45 N. Detroit Street, Xenia, Ohio 45385.

• A letter to the Judge explaining why you want this information. In the letter, you must provide us with your name, address and telephone number.
• $50.00 fee: This fee must be included with the letter (cash, check or money-order only) 
  • Note: the fee is non-refundable. If there is no medical history in the file, you do not get the filing fee back.

We do not keep adoption files on site. Therefore, it may take several business days for us to obtain the file. When we have the file on site, the Judge will review the entire file and determine if there is anything in there that we are allowed by law to release to you.

If there is not medical information in the file:
The Judge will send you a letter explaining that there is no medical information in the file and there is nothing that we are allowed by law to release to you. The matter will then be closed

If there is medical information in the file:
We will contact you to schedule an appointment for you to meet with the Judge.

At the meeting you will need to provide verification as to why you need this medical information. The Judge will then make a determination as to what information may be released to you.