What Families Should Know about Kinship Adoptions

Understanding Kinship Adoption

Kinship adoption occurs when a child is legally adopted by a relative such as a grandparent, aunt, uncle, sibling or by a close family friend (“fictive kin”) who has an established relationship with the child. While some children are formally adopted by kin, many are also raised by relatives through foster care or informal arrangements without adoption.

Kinship care plays a significant role in the child welfare system. Federal data show that roughly one-third of adoptions from foster care are finalized by relatives, and many more children are being raised by kin outside of formal adoption. Grandparents make up the majority of kin caregivers and often step up in times of crisis such as parental illness, addiction, incarceration, or death.

Benefits and Strengths
Research consistently shows that kinship placements can provide stability and continuity during difficult transitions. Children placed with relatives often experience, reduced trauma and greater emotional stability, stronger connections to siblings, culture, and community, and greater placement stability with fewer disruptions. Maintaining familiar relationships can help children preserve their sense of identity and belonging.

Unique Challenges
Kinship adoption often happens quickly and unexpectedly, leaving caregivers little time to prepare emotionally or financially. Many steps into parenting roles during moments of family crisis, while also managing their own grief or stress. Unlike traditional adoptive parents, kin caregivers may not have sought out adoption, and the required training or legal processes may feel overwhelming or unnecessary. Navigating boundaries and contact with birth parents, who are also family members, can add additional complexity.

Practical Considerations
The legal process and costs vary depending on whether the adoption occurs through foster care, private domestic adoption, or internationally. While foster care adoptions are typically low- or no-cost, private and intercountry adoptions may involve legal, home study, and travel expenses. Even in kinship situations, working with qualified adoption professionals is strongly recommended.

Resources and Support
Resources and supports are available at the state and national level.  In New Jersey, please reach out to KinKonnect at warmline@kinkonnect.org for help finding resources to support your family.  To read the full article, Kinship Adoption: Benefits, Challenges, and Practical Considerations by Elisa Rosman, PhD, MA, visit the National Council for Adoption website: https://adoptioncouncil.org