Courthouse

Ross County Court of Common Pleas
Probate Division

2 N. Paint St, Suite A
Chillicothe, OH  45601

Phone (740) 774-1179                   Fax (740) 774-3711

 

Hours of Operation
Monday-Friday
8:00 a.m – 4:00 p.m.
Closed on all legal holidays


Information about Ohio’s new Adoption Law

Effective March 20, 2015, The Adoptions Records Release law was modified to allow a person to request the release of certain records and information for the Ohio Department of heath and not the Probate Court.

 If you are seeking the release of such information, please go to the website of the Ohio Department of Health for further information and their forms.  Their website is www.odh.ohio.gov

Then link on the tab that says: “Information about Ohio’s New Adoption Law.”

 
 
 
Ohio Supreme Court Probate Forms
All Adoption Forms
All forms must be typewritten, filled out completely and signed ONLY in blue ink.
                 
  18.0 Petition for Adoption of Minor Amended March 1, 2017        
  18.1 Judgment Entry Setting Hearing and Ordering Notice        
  18.2 Notice of Hearing on Petition for Adoption        
  18.3 Consent to Adoption        
  18.4 Judgment Entry Finding Consent Not Required        
  18.5 Interlocutory Order of Adoption        
  18.6 Final Decree of Adoption (After Interlocutory Order) Amended March 1, 2017        
  18.7 Final Decree of Adoption (Without Interlocutory Order) Amended March 1, 2017        
  18.8 Adoption Certificate for Parents        
  18.9 Petitioner's Account        
  19.0 Petition for Adoption of Adult Amended March 1, 2017        
  19.1 Final Order of Adoption of Adult        
  19.2 Petition to Recognize Foreign Adoption Effective March 1, 2014        
  19.3 Order for Ohio Birth Recrd for Foreign Born Child Effective March 1, 2014        
  BCI & I report The case will not be set for hearing until the Court receives the BCI & I Report
     Application of Approval of Placement        
     Notice of Hearing on Application for Placement        
     Judgment Entry Setting Hearing and Ordering Notice        
     Entry Ordering Independent Home Study        
     Written Statement of Natural Parent        
     Entry on Placement        
     Order of Release        
                     
                     
                     

                     
Adoption Petition
Filing Requirements and Forms due at time of initial filing
                     
18.0 Petition Amended March 1, 2017        
18.3 Consent of custodial birth parent        
 If possible, consent of the non-custodial birth parent            
18.9 Prelliminary Estimate Accounting (other than a step-parent adoption)        
 If putative father exists for minor born after 1-1-9 ODHS Form 1697 (Ohio Dept. of Human Services      
 Certified copy of minor's birth certificate from appropriate health department        
18.1 Judgment Entry Setting Hearing and Ordering Notice        
18.2 Notice of Hearing on Petition for Adoption        
 Legal Notice        
ALL FORMS MUST THEN BE FILED WITH THE CLERK WHO WILL ASSIGN A CASE NUMBER. At this time, the clerk will require payment of a deposit in the amount of $250.00 for a step-parent or non-step parent adoption. Please confirm the amount with the clerk, since filing fees may have changed subsequent to the date of this instruction sheet. This fee must be paid in cash, credit card, money order, certified check or a check from a law firm. Additional costs may be required at final hearing.
If notice by publication needs to be issued to the non-custodial birth parent or putative father (minor born prior to 1-1-97), a Motion and Entry requesting publication must be filed. In addition to the motion and entry a Notice of Publication must also be filed. An affidavit of due diligence must be filed prior to the notice being published. (attorney must generate)
If notice by publication, the Affidavit of Proof of Publication prior to the hearing. (obtain special form from the newspaper office)
             
                     
Adoption Petition
Filing Requirements and Forms due prior to the hearing
                     
  18.3 Consent to Adoption - if minor is over age of 12    
  18.4 Judgment Entry Finding Consent not Required - if applicable    
  18.5 Interlocutory Order of Adoption    
  18.6 Final Decree of Adoption after Interlocutory Order Amended March 1, 2017    
  18.7 Final Decree of Adoption Amended March 1, 2017    
  18.8 Adoption Certificate for Parents    
  18.9 Final Petitioner's Accounting filed at least 10 days prior to the hearing, if other than step-parent adoption    
  Home Study by Assessor - ODHS Form 1698 along with reference letters (in all adoptions). Filed at least 10 days prior to hearing    
  Statement of Adopted Person    
  Ohio Department of Health Certificate of Adoption    
  Instructions for Obtaining the Amended Birth Record    
                     
                     
Adoption Placement
 
Filing Requirements and Forms due at time of initial filing
 
                     
Application for Approval of Placement by Parent  
Application for Approval of Placement by Relative  
18.9 Preliminary Petitioner's Account  
Entry Ordering Independent Home Study  
Judgment Entry Setting Hearing and Ordering Notice  
Notice of Hearing on Application for Placement  
      Affidavit
All forms must then be filed with the clerk who will assign a case number. At this time, the clerk will require payment of a deposit on the filing fee which is currently $250.00. Please confirm the amount with the clerk since filing fees may have changed subsequent to the date of this instruction sheet. This fee must be paid in cash, credit card, money order, certified check or a check from a law firm. Additional costs will be required at final hearing.
 
 
Adoption Placement
Filing Requirements and Forms due prior to hearing
 
The placement hearing cannot occur until at least seventy-two (72) hours after the child's birth. (NOTE: If the parties expect the biological parent(s) to execute the consent at the palcement hearing, the biological parent(s) must meet with an assessor for the pre-consent interview at least seventy-two (72) hours prior to the placement hearing.)
      The adoptive family must have a home study completed and filed.
      Fingerprint cards must be sent to BCI & I
      A mandatory pre-trial will be scheduled prior to the hearing on the Application for Placement
                     
                     
Adoption Placement
Filing Requirements and Forms due prior to hearing
                     
      Written Statement of Natural Parent
      Entry on Placement
      Order of Release (if necessary)
      If the consent of the biological parent(s) will be executed at the placement hearing, the consent forms should be prepared but not signed. This form will be executed in the presence of the Court.
                     
                     
Adoption Placement
Filing Requirements and Forms due prior to hearing
                     
      Application for Approval of Placement  
      Notice of Hearing on Application for Placement  
      Judgment Entry Setting Hearing and Ordering Notice  
      Entry Ordering Independent Home Study  
      Written Statement of Natural Parent  
      Entry on Placement  
      Order of Release  
                     
                     
Foreign Adoption
Filing Requirements and Forms due prior to hearing
                     
  18.9 Petitioner's Account  
  18.9 Petitioner's Preliminary Account  
  19.2 Petition to Recognize Foreign Adoption  
  19.3 Order for Ohio Birth Record for Foreign Born Child  
      Statement of Adopted Person  
      Instructions for Obtaining the Amended Birth Record  
      Ohio Department of Health Certificate of Adoption  
      Translated copy of foreign paperwork approving adoption (and, if available, a copy of the birth certificate)  
      Immigration Form (Form 1-171H)  
      Entry setting petition for hearing.  
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