Adoption cases include both termination of parental rights and petitions to adopt. A separate petition must be filed for each child.
- There is a filing fee and an additional fee for service of process depending on the service method you choose.
- Please provide sufficient copies of your complaint and summons. The clerk is usually required to send two copies to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. There must also be a copy for each summons to be served, as well as a copy for any Guardian ad Litem or Warning Order Attorney (if appointed). If you do not have the correct amount of copies, we will make the copies at a rate of .25 per page.
- You may find it helpful to review the Family Court Rules of Procedure and Practice.
Filing Fees (unless accompanied by a Motion for Leave to Proceed In Forma Pauperis):
$198.00 + service fee(s).
For a full fee schedule click here.
All cases also require a Civil Case Cover Sheet which can be found here.
- To schedule a court date please contact the Judge’s office.
- Judge Beck’s Office 5th Division (859) 292-6364
- Judge Schoborg’s Office 2nd Division (859) 292-6533
- Judge Rauf’s Office 6th Division (85() 291-9384
CONFIDENTIALITY
- Adoption case are confidential. Pending case files/records are not open to inspection by anyone except the parties, their attorneys and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
- Upon entry of final judgment of adoption and/or termination of parental rights, the case is sealed and no longer open to inspection by anyone except by court order.
- An adult adopted person 21 years old or older may Petition To Inspect Adoption Records and bring in person or mail to the Kenton Circuit Clerk’s Office Attn: Family Court, 230 Madison Avenue, Covington, KY 41011. Please attach a copy of your state issued license or ID to your Petition to Inspect Adoption Records to confirm your identity.
Other forms associated with adoption cases
***Reminder – Our office is prohibited from providing legal advice. You may contact the Northern Kentucky Bar Association (Lawyer Referral Service) @ (859) 781-1525 or for Civil Cases Legal Aid of the Bluegrass (Civil Legal Assistance) @ (859) 431-8200, or for Criminal Cases the Public Defender’s Office 1-833-385-6054 or contact a private attorney. There is also a FREE Legal Help Center on the 2nd floor of the Justice Center on Wednesdays from 11 am until 2 pm.