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Part of Adoption

Private adoption

Adopt a child of a spouse or relative, or adopt a child through a private direct placement or licensed adoption agency.

November is Adoption Awareness Month. Every year Children and Family Services supports hundreds of children find their forever families through adoption or private guardianship.

Overview

There are 2 methods of private adoption:

  1. direct placement,  step-parent or relative adoption
  2. licensed adoption agencies

The adoption process for a direct placement, step-parent or relative adoption can take between 2 to 6 months from the time you file your court application until an adoption order is granted.

Private adoption process

Learn more about processes and timelines for private adoption.

Direct placement, step-parent or relative adoption

Use this process if:

  • you are interested in adopting the child of a spouse or relative (for example, grandchild, niece, nephew, great niece or nephew)
  • there is a privately made agreement to place a child between birth and adoptive families who know each other and are making their own arrangements

Licensed adoption agencies

Use this process if you wish to adopt a child through a private licensed adoption agency in Alberta.

Eligibility

To adopt a child, you must:

  • be an Alberta resident
  • be at least 18 years old
  • demonstrate financial and domestic stability

Cost

Direct placements, step-parent or relative adoption

If you make the arrangements yourself, you can expect to pay:

  • charges for photocopying documents
  • fees to obtain some of the documents
  • fees to file the documents with the Court
  • costs to serve the documents

The fee to file documents with the Court, for one or more children in the family, is approximately $250.

If you use the services of a lawyer or a licensed adoption agency to assist you, you will be charged for their services.

Sometimes, you may need to get a Home Study Report. You can expect to pay approximately $3,000 for a Home Study Report through a licensed adoption agency.

How to apply

Fillable PDF forms may not open properly on some mobile devices and web browsers. For help opening the forms, contact PDF form technical support.

  • Step 1. Choose an application process

    If you are applying to adopt through direct placement, step-parent or relative adoption, follow the steps below.

    If you want to adopt through a licensed adoption agency, see the list of licensed adoption agencies below. You will need to contact the agencies directly.

  • Step 2. Fill out the Adoption Self-Help Kit

    Download the Adoption Self-Help Kit.

    The kit provides detailed information on completing the forms and on preparing the supporting documents you will need to include in your Application for Adoption Order.

    You can also purchase the kit from the King’s Printer.

  • Step 3. File your application with the Court of King’s Bench

    Find a Court of King's Bench and file your adoption application there, along with all supporting documents.

    You will need to pay the $250 filing fee.

  • Step 4. Serve notice of your application

    You will need to personally serve the Application for Adoption Order to:

    • the child’s current guardian(s) other than you
    • the biological father of the child
    • if you are the sole guardian, the person who was the guardian before you
    • the Minister of Alberta Children and Family Services, and
    • the child, if the child is 12 years old or older

  • Step 5. Prepare and submit an Affidavit of Service

    Fill out an Affidavit of Personal Service for each person you served. 

    You must swear your affidavit in front of a Commissioner for Oaths or Notary Public. The clerk of the court may commission your affidavit.

    Submit the form to the clerk of the court within 10 days of serving the last person with the notice for the Application for Adoption Order.

After you apply

The clerk of the court will present your Application for Adoption Order to a judge for review.

The Judge may:

  • grant an Adoption Order
  • request further information
  • order that a Home Study Report be prepared
  • order a hearing to be held
  • dismiss your Application for Adoption Order

You will be notified of the Judge's decision by the court.

Licensed adoption agencies

A Small Miracle Adoption

Scotia Place, Tower 1
Suite 2020, 10060 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 3R8
Phone: 780-421-1177
Email: [email protected]
Website: Small Miracles Adoption

Adoption Options

Calgary
#207, 5940 MacLeod Trail SW
Calgary, Alberta  T2H 2G4
Phone: 403-270-8228
Toll free: 1-888-277-8228
Email: [email protected]
Website: Adoption Options

Edmonton
#6, 9363 50 Street
Edmonton, Alberta  T6B 2L5
Phone: 780-433-5656
Toll free: 1-800-770-3023
Email: [email protected]
Website: Adoption Options

AMARIS Adoption and Family Support Services

Calgary
101C, 9705 Horton Road SW
Calgary, Alberta  T2V 2X5
Phone: 403-256-3224
Toll free: 1-877-256-3224

Edmonton
Phone: 780-438-3455
Toll free: 1-877-256-3224 
Email: [email protected]
Website: wAMARIS Adoption and Family Services

Financial supports

Anyone who has adopted a child in Alberta can apply for the supports below. Eligibility varies by program.

Resources

Legal Advice – Lawyer Referral Service – Families who are involved in an adoption and require legal information can call toll-free to explain what they need and ask for a lawyer referral:

Child and Youth Permanency Council of Canada

International Adoption Clinic, Calgary

International Adoption Clinic, Edmonton

Contact

Connect with Alberta Adoption and Permanency Services with questions or comments.