What do I need to know before we apply for the AO?

[Polkasquare]

We are at the stage when we can apply for the adoption order. Is there anything I should know before we apply? I can't think what that would be, but if anyone else had one of those "I wish I'd known that before I sent the form off"-moments I'd love to know!
Thanks

Not for me! I'm sure you know how/why there are often delays between making the application and getting the order, different hearings etc. Patience may be required.

I felt a bit strange writing 'none' when asked my relationship to my LO (can't remember exact question) but totally understand why.

The court made a few mistakes with my paperwork but I think that was unusual and not in relation to actually granting the order.

I found it weird that my SW knew before I did that my daughter was legally a Miss Weekends. Can remember that phone call very clearly!

The celebration was brief but lovely

Have you had life story book, red medical book, child benefit transferred to you? Letterbox agreement on place? Any outstanding medical questions? Get all that sorted before the order is granted, as soon as it is you lose your social worker and get moved to post adoption support. (Generally not as helpful as your SW as they don't know the background etc)

Thanks. Got the red book, but none of the other things! Will ask.

So did you tell your SW that you had sent the form to court? How strange that they find out that it's gone through before you do!

Yes SW were aware that my documents had been sent off, sent their documents song with it and attended court every time they needed to along the way in between application and final order.

The SW that attended the final hearing (when the AO was granted) phoned my after leaving court to tell me it has gone through and that my daughter was legally a Miss Weekends. That felt strange!

Along with it, not song!

The only thing I would say is double and triple check absolutely everything is perfect! If the court finds a discrepancy they will send the whole lot back which will add on time.

Prepare yourselves to be patient and keep telling yourself it will happen!

All the very best of luck

Thank you very much.

I wanted to have the updated court paperwork as BM had added some comments, was already too late for us to get it but we were able to have the social worker just type something about BM views which will be nice for life story. So ask social worker if anything would be good for you to have.

One recommendation I would definitely make is to get a copy of your child's birth certificate as once adoption order is granted you won't be able to get that as adoption order will make it defunct. Might just be me but I want absolutely everything I could possibly have for my little one so everything is all together for when they're older. May not be important to everyone but was important to me so if you're similar then get that ordered asap.

Was nothing else I could think of.

Congratulations!

We haven't got a birth certificate, thanks for that, .I will ask :)

Our SW knew we had sent off the paperwork but like PP said we knew the date of final hearing but got a phone call on the day to say it had all gone through court and they were legally ours! Birth parents didn't attend but did write a statement to say whilst they didn't agree they were not contesting as they wanted what was best for the children. That's gone in the life story books!

We were fortunate to have had a very straightforward application as birth parents ended up not contesting which was unexpected and we've not had any major issues. only thing I would say is I was really quite surprised just how immediately support ceased once order went through and I'd second that it's worth ensuring you have everything you need life story book photos etc as my experience has been it's been incredibly difficult to get hold of anyone now!

Ours was also a straightforward case with the birth parents not contesting. One thing it’s good for you to know is that the Celebration Hearing, after the adoption order is approved, is actually optional and not mandatory although some social workers will make you feel otherwise as if it is a legal mandatory requirement. We adopted two young children (2 and 3 years old) and just didn’t think it was necessary nor appropriate to have a formal Celebration Hearing at the court. We opted for a private get together with our families and had a nice day out.

One recommendation I would definitely make is to get a copy of your child's birth certificate as once adoption order is granted you won't be able to get that as adoption order will make it defunct.

The original birth certificate does not become defunct. It stays on record at the General Register Office and can be purchased on application at any time. Obviously it is not linked with the child once they are adopted, but the information on the original certificate will always exist.