Yes, the Nevada RELATIVE Adoption Application (Part One) requires the applicant's signature to be notarized. This official form from the Nevada Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) is the first step in a formal legal process and must be signed in the presence of a Notary Public to be valid.
Lake Mead Mobile Notary provides professional and confidential mobile notarization for adoption paperwork in Las Vegas, Henderson, and across Clark County. Starting at $65.
An application submitted to DCFS without proper notarization will be rejected, causing delays in the adoption process.
We are not attorneys and do not provide legal advice. This information is for general notarial purposes. For legal advice regarding adoption, please consult a qualified family law attorney.
What is the Relative Adoption Application (Part One)?
This is the initial application for a relative (such as a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or sibling) who wishes to legally adopt a child they are related to. This process, often called a kinship adoption, is generally more streamlined than non‑relative adoptions but still involves a formal legal process managed by Nevada DCFS.
This “Part One” application gathers essential background information about the prospective adoptive parent(s), including:
Personal and family information.
Home and living situation.
Financial and employment details.
Authorization for background checks.
The application is a sworn statement. Nevada DCFS requires the applicant's signature to be notarized to verify their identity and attest to the truthfulness of the information provided.
Download the Official DCFS Application
For Relatives Seeking to Adopt in Nevada
Download the official application from the Nevada DCFS website. Complete the form in its entirety. Do not sign the application until you are in the presence of a notary.
If applying as a married couple, both spouses must be present at the notary appointment and both must sign the application. Each signer must bring a valid government‑issued photo ID.
Completing this application is the first step. It is typically followed by home studies, background checks, and obtaining parental consent (or termination of parental rights). Part Two of this process involves the birth parent's notarized consent.
Step-by-Step Notarization for Your Adoption Application
1
Complete the application form
Thoroughly fill out all sections of the application. Ensure all information is accurate and complete to avoid processing delays. Do not sign yet.
2
Gather your valid ID(s)
You (and your spouse, if applicable) must present a valid, unexpired, government‑issued photo ID such as a driver's license or passport.
3
Schedule a mobile notary
Contact us to arrange for a mobile notary to come to a location that is convenient and private for you and your family.
4
Sign in the notary's presence
The notary will verify your identity (and your spouse's, if applicable), confirm that you understand the document, and then witness you sign the application.
5
Notary completes certificate and seal
The notary will complete the required notarial certificate, sign, and affix their official seal, making your signature legally valid for DCFS.
6
Submit your application to DCFS
After notarization, submit the application packet to the Nevada DCFS office as instructed on the form to formally begin the relative adoption process.
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