What Happens In Court?

A court is where something called the Adoption Order will be made.  The Adoption Order will mean that you now legally belong to your new family.  Your adoptive parents will always be your legal parents and will have full responsibility for you just as if you were born to them.

First, the court will make a date so that you, your new family and social worker can go and meet the judge.  The judge will listen to what you and the adults think about the plans for you to be adopted.  If all is going well, the judge will decide that being adopted by the new family is best for you.

Usually, this happens when you have already been living with your new parents for at least six months or maybe even longer.

You might be feeling a bit scared, but there's no need to be!  It will be a big day for you and your new family.  This will be the day when the Adoption Order is made and all the adoption papers are signed.

You might have a celebration!  Some families celebrate this day each year, so you may have an Adoption Day as well as a birthday to celebrate!