Below is a checklist required for Horry and Georgetown Counties. I use this checklist with all my adoption files. The checklist is simple to use and covers most requirements of the court. One suggestion before attempting an adoption in a county you are not familiar with is to contact the administrative judge’s office for local rules and contact an attorney that practices in the county you are seeking to file an adoption action in.
ADOPTION CHECKLIST
Plaintiffs vs. Defendants
20____-DR-____-_____
ADOPTION CHECKLIST
This Adoption is:
_______ Step-parent adoption or adoption related by blood or marriage
_______ Non-relative adoption
The following documents have been filed with the Clerk of Court:
_______Summons
_______Complaint
_______Order appointing GAL
_______Proper service of Order appointing GAL on the GAL
_______Answer of GAL
Proof of service of Summons and Complaint on:
Biological parents (if no consent/relinquishment or TPR)
Child to be adopted (if 14 years or older)
GAL or child (if 13 years or younger)
Proof of Service by Publication (if served by Publication)
Notice to named biological father
____ Responsible Father Registry Search Results
Mother’s Consent Relinquishment (if given)
Father’s Consent Relinquishment (if given)
Consent of Child if age 14 or older
Pre-placement Investigation signed within one year of date of placement (not required if step-parent adoption or related by blood or marriage)
Post-Placement Investigation (not required if step-parent adoption or related by blood or marriage)
Medical & Social History (not required if step-parent adoption or related by blood or marriage)
Itemized Accounting (not required if step-parent adoption or related by blood or marriage)
Adoption Placement Certificate (if DSS placement)
Answer of DSS (if DSS placement)
Service of Summons and Complaint on DSS (if DSS placement)
Notice of Hearing to DSS (if DSS placement)
Interstate Compact Approval (if child is placed out of state or placed in S.C. from another state)
Order of Exceptional Circumstances (if child is placed in another State from S.C.)
Date:________________
________________________________________
Attorney for Plaintiffs