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The information on this page is for families seeking support after they have finalized an adoption. If you are searching for your birth family or would like to request a search of adoption records at the Minnesota Department of Human Services, please visit our Post Adoption Search Information page at https://fosteradoptmn.org/search/.

If you are nearing finalization, please discuss these tasks to complete with your adoption worker and your child’s county worker. They will assist you with planning for:

  • the court hearing and any court fees
  • applying for a new birth certificate
  • obtaining the adoption decree
  • Northstar Adoption Assistance (more information below)

Additionally, you will need to complete several tasks after the adoption is finalized:

Northstar Adoption Assistance & Kinship Assistance
The MN Department of Human Services is your resource for any questions you may have about your child’s Northstar Adoption/Kinship Assistance benefits. You can access your family’s account online on the Benefits Information Portal (BiP) by visiting their website at  https://bip.dhs.mn.gov/. You can also contact the DHS Adoption Assistance team by email with any questions you have: adoption.assistance@state.mn.us.

Here are some helpful links about Adoption Assistance:

Legacy Adoption Assistance Program Overview (adoptions completed before January 1, 2015).
https://mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/children-and-families/services/adoption/programs-services/legacy-adoption-assistance.jsp
This link will provide instructions on reimbursement for:  non-recurring expenses, childcare, respite, camp, home and vehicle modifications.  It also provides information on Adoption Assistance extension after 18, Adoption Assistance and SSI, and Medical Assistance.

Northstar Adoption Assistance Program (adoptions completed after January 1, 2015
https://mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/children-and-families/services/adoption/programs-services/northstar-adoption-assistance.jsp
This link provides instructions on reimbursement for:  non-recurring expenses, home and vehicle modifications.  It also offers information on Adoption Assistance extension after 18, Adoption Assistance and SSI, and Medical Assistance.

Northstar Kinship Assistance Program (transfer of permanent legal and physical custody completed after January 1, 2015)
https://mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/children-and-families/services/adoption/programs-services/northstar-kinship-assistance.jsp
This link offers instructions on reimbursement for:  non-recurring expenses. It also provides information on Kinship Assistance Agreement Extension after 18, Kinship Assistance, SSI, and Medical Assistance.

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