Adoption is the legal process in which a person assumes responsibility for the health, safety, well-being, and financial support of another person—usually a child—and terminates the rights and responsibilities of the adopted person’s biological parent or parents.
In Nevada, adoption is governed by state statutes that outline the legal process by which an individual or couple can become the legal parents of a child, thereby assuming all responsibilities for the child's welfare. This process terminates the legal rights and responsibilities of the child's biological parents. Nevada law requires prospective adoptive parents to go through a home study process, obtain consent from the child's biological parents (unless their rights have been legally terminated for reasons such as abandonment, neglect, or unfitness), and receive approval from a court. The court will consider the best interests of the child in its decision. There are different types of adoption available in Nevada, including agency adoptions, private adoptions, and adoptions through the foster care system. Additionally, Nevada recognizes stepparent adoptions, where a stepparent can adopt their spouse's child. The process can be complex and may require the assistance of an attorney to navigate the legal requirements and proceedings.