How do I get a copy of the adoption order in Vermont?

In Vermont, you get a copy of your adoption order by asking the clerk of the Probate Court that finalized your adoption, and it's easiest to request certified copies as soon as the order is issued. Here is how to approach it.

Right after your adoption is finalized:

• Ask the Probate Court clerk for certified copies of the signed order before you leave or as soon as the order is issued.
• Ask the clerk how copies are delivered (same day, pickup or mail), because practices can differ from court to court.
• Ask what the court charges for each certified copy. The clerk in your county can confirm the fee.

How many copies to request:

Request several certified copies rather than just a single copy. Different offices often want to keep a certified original, and it costs less to order extras while you are already at the court. The clerk can tell you if there is any limit on how many you may request at once.

Where you will likely use the order:

• Vermont Department of Health Vital Records: this is the agency to contact about an updated birth certificate after the adoption. Ask them exactly what they need from you, including whether they require a certified copy.
• Health insurance: to add your child as a dependent, your insurer or employer will usually ask for proof of the adoption.
• School records: to update your child's name or parent information.
• Passport and other identity documents: agencies typically ask for certified proof of the legal change.
• Your own records: keep at least one certified copy stored safely with other important family papers.

If you need copies later:

You can go back to the Probate Court in the county where the adoption was finalized. Have the child's name, the approximate date of finalization and, if you have it, the case number. The clerk can tell you the fee and how long it takes to get a copy. If you are not sure which county handled the case, think back to where you or the other petitioner filed the adoption paperwork.

Timing to keep in mind:

Stepparent adoptions in Vermont generally take about 3-6 months from start to finish, so plan to order your copies when the court finalizes the adoption rather than waiting until you need them for a deadline such as a passport appointment or an insurance enrollment window.

If something is unusual:

If your situation involves a sealed file, a correction to the order, or a case that was contested, the clerk is the right first call, and an attorney can advise you on your specific circumstances. Rules on who may access adoption records can depend on the facts, so confirm them with the court before assuming anything.

How we help:

StepParent Adoption 360 is a document preparation service, not a law firm. You answer questions online, and we prepare the complete court document package for your Vermont county, which you file yourself without an attorney. The price is $349 for the first child (or one adult adoptee) and $99 for each additional child. Your court-ready documents arrive within 24-48 hours after you finish the questions, and they are backed by our 100% court acceptance guarantee. We have helped 87 Vermont families, and more than 34,000 families nationally since 2001.