Adoption in Paulding County Probate Court

Paulding County Probate Court

115 N. Williams St., Suite 202, Paulding, OH 45879. Phone (419) 399-8256, fax (419) 399-8261. Open Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM. Court website. Probate fee schedule.

Who this is for

• You are a stepparent adopting your spouse's child and need the court to make it legal and permanent.
• You are adopting a minor through a licensed agency or a private placement and need to file in Paulding County.
• You want to adopt an adult — for example to formalize a long-standing parent-child relationship.
• You finalized an adoption abroad and need an Ohio court to recognize it and issue an Ohio birth record.
• A relative or kinship caregiver wants to adopt a child already living in their home.
• You need to confirm whose consent is required, or ask the court to find consent is not required under R.C. 3107.07.

Ohio standardized probate forms

Adoption of a minor (18.x forms)

These are the core Ohio standardized forms for adopting a child. Paulding County also posts its probate forms here: https://www.pauldingjuvenilecourt.com/probate-court-forms/

• Form 18.0 Petition for Adoption of Minor — The petition that opens a minor adoption case.
• Form 18.1 Judgment Entry Setting Hearing and Ordering Notice — Sets the hearing date and orders notice to the parties.
• Form 18.2 Notice of Hearing on Petition for Adoption
• Form 18.3 Consent to Adoption — Consent from a parent or party whose agreement the law requires.
• Form 18.4 Judgment Entry Finding Consent Not Required — Used when the court finds a consent is not required (e.g., under R.C. 3107.07).
• Form 18.5 Interlocutory Order of Adoption
• Form 18.6 Final Decree of Adoption (After Interlocutory Order)
• Form 18.7 Final Decree of Adoption (Without Interlocutory Order)
• Form 18.8 Adoption Certificate for Parents
• Form 18.9 Petitioner's Account

Adoption of an adult (19.0–19.1)

Adult adoptions use a shorter set of forms and are decided with a single final order.

• Form 19.0 Petition for Adoption of Adult
• Form 19.1 Final Order of Adoption of Adult

Recognizing a foreign adoption (19.2–19.3)

Use these to have Ohio recognize an adoption completed in another country and to obtain an Ohio birth record.

• Form 19.2 Petition to Recognize Foreign Adoption
• Form 19.3 Order for Ohio Birth Record for Foreign Born Child

Child support agency notice

Filed when an adoption changes who is responsible for a child's support.

• Form 19.4 Notice to the Child Support Enforcement Agency

The Paulding County Probate Court's published fee schedule lists adoption deposits of $700.00 for a stepparent adoption, $450.00 for an agency adoption, $1,000.00 for a foreign, private, or pre-placement adoption, and $250.00 for an adult adoption. Confirm the current amount on the court's fee page (https://www.pauldingjuvenilecourt.com/probate-court-fees/) or by calling (419) 399-8256 before you file.

Step by step

1. Decide which kind of adoption you are filing A minor adoption (stepparent, agency, or private placement) starts with Form 18.0; an adult adoption uses Form 19.0; and a foreign adoption is recognized with Form 19.2. The forms, fees, and steps differ, so identify your path first.
2. Gather the birth record and required consents File the child's birth record with the petition and the consent of each birth parent or party whose agreement the law requires (Form 18.3) — unless the court finds consent is not required under R.C. 3107.07 (Form 18.4).
3. File the petition and pay the deposit File your petition (Form 18.0, 19.0, or 19.2) at the Paulding County Probate Court, 115 N. Williams St., Suite 202, Paulding, OH 45879, and pay the filing deposit from the court's fee schedule ($700 stepparent, $450 agency, $1,000 foreign/private/pre-placement, or $250 adult).
4. Complete a home study or assessment if required A home study or pre-finalization assessment is generally required, though stepparent cases may be streamlined. The court will tell you what your case needs and may appoint an assessor.
5. Attend the hearing The court sets a hearing and orders notice (Forms 18.1–18.2). At the hearing the judge reviews the petition, the consents, and any assessment and decides whether the adoption is in the child's best interest.
6. Receive the decree and a new birth record The judge enters an interlocutory order and then a final decree (Forms 18.5–18.7) — or a single final order for an adult adoption (Form 19.1) — issues the adoption certificate (Form 18.8), and a new birth record is issued.

Good to know about Paulding County

• File at the Paulding County Probate Court, 115 N. Williams St., Suite 202, Paulding, OH 45879. The Probate & Juvenile Court office is open Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM; you can reach the Probate division at (419) 399-8256 (fax (419) 399-8261).
• Paulding County's Probate division uses the Supreme Court of Ohio's standardized probate forms, and the court also posts its own probate forms page (https://www.pauldingjuvenilecourt.com/probate-court-forms/). Always download the current version before you file.
• The Probate Court (Judge Harvey D. Hyman) is a separate division from the Common Pleas court that handles divorces — bring adoption and name-change questions to the Probate Court at (419) 399-8256.
• Probate filing fees are published on the court's fee schedule (https://www.pauldingjuvenilecourt.com/probate-court-fees/). The amounts below come from that schedule; confirm the current figure with the Probate Court before you file.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I file an adoption in Paulding County?

Adoptions are filed in the Paulding County Probate Court at 115 N. Williams St., Suite 202, Paulding, OH 45879, before Judge Harvey D. Hyman. The office is open Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, and you can reach the Probate division at (419) 399-8256.

How much is a stepparent adoption in Paulding County?

The court's fee schedule lists a stepparent adoption at $700.00. Other types are $450.00 (agency), $1,000.00 (foreign, private, or pre-placement), and $250.00 (adult). Confirm the current amount on the court's fee page or by calling (419) 399-8256.

Which forms do I need to adopt in Paulding County?

A minor adoption starts with Form 18.0 (Petition for Adoption of Minor) plus the consent forms (Form 18.3) and the entry setting the hearing (Form 18.1). An adult adoption uses Form 19.0, and a foreign adoption is recognized with Form 19.2. Paulding uses the Supreme Court of Ohio's standardized probate forms, and the court also posts its own probate forms page.

Do I need the other birth parent's consent?

Usually yes. The court generally needs the consent of the child's other legal parent (Form 18.3) unless it finds that consent is not required — for example, under R.C. 3107.07, when a parent has failed to support or communicate with the child for the statutory period (Form 18.4).

Will I need a home study?

A home study or pre-finalization assessment is generally required, although stepparent cases may be streamlined. Requirements vary by case, so confirm what applies to yours with the Probate Court.

Can I adopt an adult in Paulding County?

Yes. Adult adoptions are filed with Form 19.0 (Petition for Adoption of Adult), and the court enters a single Final Order of Adoption of Adult (Form 19.1). The fee schedule lists an adult adoption at $250.00.

How do I get Ohio to recognize an adoption I completed abroad?

File Form 19.2 (Petition to Recognize Foreign Adoption) in the Paulding County Probate Court. The court can recognize the foreign adoption and, with Form 19.3, order an Ohio birth record for a foreign-born child.

Do I need a lawyer to adopt in Paulding County?

You are not required to hire a lawyer, and the court provides the forms to file on your own. Because contested consents, agency placements, and foreign-adoption recognition can be complex, many families work with an Ohio family-law attorney to make sure the decree holds up.