Placing a Child with Relatives

One of the options of every birth mother is to consider placing her child with a relative of hers or a relative of the birth father.

Every biological parent has the options to raise the child, place the child with a relative of theirs, place the child in foster care, or place the child for adoption with a non-relative. 

The placement with a relative varies with each state since each U.S. state defines "relative" differently, including relatives through blood, marriage or adoption.  In many states placement preference is given to the child's grandparents, followed by aunts, uncles, adult siblings, and cousins. For Native American children, some states allow members of the child's tribe to be considered "extended family members" for placement purposes.

The usual requirements for placement are that the relative be willing to take the child and be healthy and able to ensure the child's safety meet the child's needs. Several States require relatives to undergo a Home Study including criminal background clearances and child abuse checks.

To see how your specific state of residence addresses the issue of placement and adoption by a relative, visit ChildAdoptionLaws.com or Child Welfare Information Gateway article Placement of Children with Relatives.

For more information and for additional help regarding adoption, please visit AdoptionServices.org. and contact Adoption Services or contact Dr Vince Berger.  Dr. Berger is a licensed psychologist who has been helping birth mothers, birth fathers, and adopting families for 40 years.