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Adoption Services | Licking County Department Of Job And Family Services

74 South Second Street, Newark, OH 43055

Eligibility
You may apply to become an approved adoptive family through Licking County JFS if you:
  • Are at least 18 years of age.
  • Single or married, with no change in marital status for at least one year.
  • Able to provide proof of sufficient income to meet the needs of the household.
  • Complete BCII, FBI, and Children Service Background Checks with no prohibitive offenses
  • Ensure children are able to attend all scheduled appointments and visitations and have a clean and safe home
  • Provide a safe and healthy home for a child.
  • Complete 39 hours of Pre-service Training.
Required documents

Hours
Mon-Fri 7am-4:30pm.
Application process
Potential adoptive families must attend training and have an assessment done of their home and family. The assessment involves a safety check of their home, several interviews with each member of the household by a certified adoption assessor, and a thorough background check. This helps the family and the adoption assessor to decide what kind of child/children would be the best fit for their home. Once approved, families may be able to adopt children from across the state of Ohio, and in some instances, from other states as well.
Fees
Court and attorney fees apply.
Service area
Licking County, Ohio
In Ohio, public and private agencies have thousands of children waiting for adoption. Children range in age from toddlers to teenagers. Most of the children waiting for adoption fall into one or more ‘special needs’ groups. Some waiting children have special needs because they are older, are members of a racial minority or belong to a group of brothers and/or sisters who want to be adopted together. Some have emotional, medical, or developmental problems or a medical or family history which puts them at risk for problems after adoption.
Last assured
02/09/2026
Providing organization
Licking County Department Of Job And Family Services
A combined Agency administering Federal, State, and County Programs involving employment & training services, self-sufficiency services (cash assistance, medical coverage, food assistance, etc.) and social services for children and adults.