Although the application should be made at the court having the jurisdiction of the place where the child lives, only the High Court or the County court or Magistrate’s Court has the authority to deal with such cases. The application can also be made in the court, which has jurisdiction on the area of any of the parents or the guardian. If a child is not in UK when the application is being made, then only the High Court can hear such a case of adoption. It is pertinent to mention here that it is mandatory for the child to remain present during the hearing of the adoption cases. Post adoption, the adopters become the parents to the adopted child and they treat the child as if it was born to the out of a legal wedlock. Each of the parents, the guardian, the adoption agency or the local authorities or the voluntary organization that ought to take care of the adopted child should all be parties to the application. The primary consideration is the welfare of the child. The adopted child, on attaining the age of 18 years maximum should be informed that he is the adopted child of his parents. Top confidentiality is maintained as far as adoption papers are concerned. If the adoption is refused by the Court, then the adopted child should be returned top the adoption agency latest by 7 days. Then the agency shall try to find out another suitable child for that pair of intending adopters. At times, instead of an adoption order the Court gives a short term order wherein, the adoptive child is allowed to stay with the intending adopting parents for a period not more than 2 years. In this was it can be easily found out whether the applicants are suitable to adopt the child.
The Court can even allow the natural parents of the child to keep in touch with him. The Court can also give its view regarding the religious upbringing of the child.
