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Could you please advise me on the following procedure? I am the mother of a young child. My new husband wants to adopt my child as there is no contact with the paternal father.
What is the procedure for adopting and what are the costs involved if it is not contested?
REPLY:
Submitted by a spokesperson from the Catholic Women's Adoption Society, Johannesburg.(March 1999)
The procedure for a stepparent adoption is for all parties to make an appointment at their local magistrate's court (ask for the adoption clerk) to sign the necessary papers. Disclaimer: the maintainers, sponsors, and holders of this web site
The court will then refer the matter to a social worker for an investigation and report.
There is no need for involvement of a lawyer.
Costs vary according to the social worker involved. The State Department of Welfare does not charge, as far as I know.
Our agency charges R350.
Social workers in private practice would charge at a rate of R250-R275 per hour.
If the applicants have previous contact with a social worker they should tell the court, and ask if that person can do the report. It depends on the magistrate whether he will accept this.
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