Many children are adopted by a relative, someone related to the child by family ties or through a prior relationship connection. Placement with relatives or kin is often the first option considered by workers in foster care when children cannot safely remain in their parents’ home or cannot be reunited with them. Kinship families 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 relative/kinship adoption, including State and local examples.
Adopting a Relative
U.S. Department of State
Provides an overview of the requirements to adopt a relative who is not a U.S. citizen.
Grandfacts: State Fact Sheets for Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children
AARP, Brookdale Foundation Group, Casey Family Programs, Child Welfare League of America, Children's Defense Fund, & Generations United (2011)
Contains factsheets about kinship care prepared by the AARP Grandparent Information Center for each State. The factsheets report national and State statistics and provide an overview of resources for relative caregivers. Support groups, foster care programs, public assistance, and State laws are described.
| Series Title | Related Organizations Lists |
| Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability | View |
| Year Published | 2017 |
| Series Title | State Statutes |
| Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability | View Download (PDF - 627KB) |
| Year Published | 2013 |
Grandfacts Fact Sheet
AARP (2017)
Contains factsheets about kinship care prepared by the AARP Grandparent Information Center for each State. The factsheets report national and State statistics and provide an overview of resources for relative caregivers. Support groups, foster care programs, public assistance, and State laws are described.
Title IV-E Guardianship Assistance Program
The Association of Administrators of the Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance
Outlines 30 State policies on the adoption of the Guardianship Assistance Program (GAP) with program instructions for title IV-E plans, Kinship Guardianship Assistance, training, Fostering Connections to Success, and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 as issued by the Children's Bureau. Also provides updates to the Bureau's Child Welfare Policy Manual and answers GAP frequently asked questions.
State and local examples
Adoption by Relatives in Wisconsin Including Stepparent Adoption
Wisconsin Department of Children and Families
Summarizes the relative adoption process in Wisconsin.
Making the Adoption/Guardianship Decision (PDF - 525 KB)
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
Provides answers to common questions about adoption and guardianship, birth parent rights, responsibilities of adopting relatives, and more.
Raising Relatives' Children (PDF - 523 KB)
Iowa Foster and Adoptive Parent Association (2012)
Offers information and resources for Iowa kinship care providers.