Adoption

The Adoption Services Unit works with the public and adoption agencies to provide oversight and supervision of adoption petitions and post-adoption information requests. The professional and support staff are charged with ensuring that the confidentiality of information is maintained and that the adoption process is handled expeditiously as required by law.

The Adoption Services Unit processes adoption petitions for direct placement, agency, adult, stepparent, and relative adoptions. Adoptions Services also accepts petitions regarding post-adoption matters, including confidential intermediary services. In addition, two permanency coordinators handle a specialized Adoption Permanency Docket and monitor the progress toward adoption permanency for each child.

Submitting Documents / Pleadings / Materials

You may submit documents/pleadings/materials to the court in following ways.

Email documents/pleadings/materials to adoption@oakgov.com
Mail or hand deliver the documents/pleadings/materials to:
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Family Division, Adoption Services
2nd Floor East Wing
1200 North Telegraph Road
Pontiac, Michigan, USA, 48341-0452

Filing Fees

Filing fees are due at the time of the interview.

Filing Fee
- $185, payable to Oakland County
Birth Certificate Fee
- $50, payable to State of Michigan (for children born in Michigan and foreign born).
- $16, payable to State of Michigan for additional copy of birth certificate
Home study Fee (stepparent and relative adoptions only)
- $250, made payable to Oakland County

Note: Michigan check or money order shall make a notation on the reference line with the child’s name.

Fees shall be sent to:

Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Family Division Adoption Services
1200 N. Telegraph
Pontiac, MI 48341-0452

Additional Resources

The Adoption Services Unit is responsible for the Oakland County Annual Celebration of Michigan Adoption Day program. Held in conjunction with the State of Michigan and the National Adoption Day organization, the annual adoption day program takes place on the Tuesday prior to Thanksgiving each year. The program is held simultaneously with other courts throughout the State of Michigan and across the United States highlighting the importance of adoption and the needs of children in foster care.

The Adoption Permanency Project was a multi-year collaboration among the Circuit Court Family Division, the Michigan Department of Human Services, private adoption agencies and representatives from the CASA program of the Child Abuse and Neglect Council of Oakland County, the Foster Care Review Board, and the lawyer-guardian ad litems appointed for children.