Delaware Termination of Parental Rights (TPR)
Home study for adoption conducted prior to Termination of Parental Rights (TPR):
Home study for relatives conducted prior to Termination of Parental Rights (TPR):
After TPR, relatives are no longer relatives and a foster care or adoptive home study must be requested:
Relative Home Study
Define Relative:
An adult person, who by blood, marriage or adoption, is the great grandparent, grandparent, step grandparent, great aunt, great uncle, uncle, stepparent, brother, sister, step brother, step sister, half brother, half sister, niece, nephew, first cousin, or first cousin once removed of a minor and with whom the minor resides, but who is not the legal custodian or guardian of the minor.
Relatives must be licensed:
Proof of Paternity is required:
- Yes: Birth Certificate or blood test results from DE Division of Child Support Enforcement
Delaware considers the following types and degrees of relation as relative placements. Individuals related in the 1st degree, 2nd degree, 3rd degree and 4th degree (You may need to refer to your state's consanguinity chart or state statute to determine relations or relative status.):
- 1st Degree (mother, father, sister, brother, son, daughter)
- 2nd Degree (grandmother, grandfather, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, first cousin)
- 3rd Degree (great grandmother, great grandfather, great aunt, great uncle, grand-niece, grand nephew, second cousin)
- 4th Degree (great, great-grandmother, great, great-grandfather, great, great aunt, great, great aunt, great, great uncle, great grand-niece, great grand nephew, third cousin)
- Godmother, Godfather
- Other