Permanent placement with relatives, or kin, is often the first option considered by foster care workers when children cannot safely remain in their parents’ home or cannot be reunited with them. When kinship families adopt, they often have different needs and face different challenges than families who adopt children unrelated to them. While kin is the term often used to describe potential caregivers biologically related to the child, some jurisdictions also recognize close friends or "fictive kin" who have a strong or significant relationship with the child and may meet the requirements for a prospective family. Resources in this section include information on kinship and relative adoption, including State and local examples.
Adopting a Family Member From Foster Care
Considering Adoption
Gives information on adopting a relative child from foster care and discusses the steps involved in kinship/relative adoption.
Adopting a Relative for Immigration to the United States
U.S. Department of State
Provides an overview of the requirements for adopting a relative from abroad.
Adoption
Grandfamilies.org
Describes adoption by grandparents and the process through which this type of adoption occurs.
The Hidden Hurdles and Benefits of Kinship Care and Adoption
Tangel (2022)
Adoption Advocate, 164
Reviews the topic of kinship care adoptions and provides recommendations for child welfare professionals on the home study process, achieving permanency, placement stability, and more.
Kinship Care and the Child Welfare System
Placement of Children With Relatives
Working With Kinship Caregivers
State and local examples
Kinship and Relative Care Services
Minnesota Department of Human Services, MN Adopt
Describes kinship care and shares resources in Minnesota for prospective kinship parents along with national resources.
Kinship Care Portal
Georgia Department of Human Services
Presents information, resources, and ways to find support for prospective kinship families and kinship caregivers who have provided permanency for their family member through kinship adoption in Georgia.
Making the Adoption/Guardianship Decision (PDF - 1,700 KB)
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
Provides answers to common questions about adoption and guardianship, birth parent rights, the responsibilities of adopting relatives, and more.
New York State Kinship Navigator
Provides legal, financial, referral, and advocacy information for kinship caregivers so they can provide stability and permanency for children in their home.