Giving my baby up for adoption

Yes, Adopt International is Hague accredited (by IAAME) and licensed (CA and HI) to provide adoption services. We meet all state, federal, and international standards for ethical adoption practices. This accreditation ensures that families and children receive the highest level of transparency, support, and legal compliance throughout the adoption process.

Home study fees different between domestic and international home study and specific requirements. To inquire about home study fees, email adopt@adoptinter.org.

Relative adoption is when a child is legally adopted by a member of their extended family, such as an aunt, uncle, sibling, or cousin.

We’ll help you think of all your options, and the pros and cons of each of them. We are always here to listen and sort through your emotions so you are comfortable with the choice you make in the end. Adopt can also give you referrals to other programs, counselors, and connect you to other birth moms or parenting resources.

Open adoption allows for some level of ongoing contact between birth parents, adoptive parents, and the child. This can include sharing photos, letters, phone calls, or even in-person visits. The level of openness can be flexible and based on what everyone is comfortable with.

Domestic Home Studies are generally valid for one year and International Home Studies are generally valid until your immigration adoption approval expires.

Yes, unless their parental rights have been terminated, or in cases of death or abandonment.

Yes, in California, open adoption agreements can be legally enforceable if they're in writing and approved by the court as part of the adoption process. However, the agreement must serve the best interests of the child, and all parties must voluntarily agree to the terms.

Open adoption is when you choose the family who will parent your child, and you have the option to stay in touch with that family. Often times in open adoption you will exchange pictures, letters, and have visits with the family and your child. If you are interested we can share lots of research with you about how this is best for everyone involved, but ultimately you get to make the decision that feels most comfortable to you.

The length of the adoption process can vary depending on the type of adoption (domestic, international, or foster care), the country involved (for international adoptions), and individual circumstances. On average, it can take anywhere from 12 to 36 months. Our team will walk with you every step of the way to help keep things moving forward as smoothly as possible.

A Home Study is a comprehensive assessment that ensures adoptive families are prepared and qualified to provide a safe, loving home for a child through adoption. It includes interviews, background checks, home visits, lots of paperwork, and education. The Home Study is required by both state and international adoption laws and helps match families with the right child based on their strengths and readiness.

Yes, for both U.S. and international processes.

Yes. In open adoption, birth parents have the opportunity to choose the adoptive family. You can review profiles, talk with potential families, and even meet them to decide who feels like the right fit for your child.

After your home study is completed, it is submitted to your placing agency to be presented to birth families (for domestic adoptions) or submitted as part of your country dossier and USCIS immigration application (for international adoptions).

Families make picture books about themselves for you to start to get to know them. After you look at the books and have chosen a family you can, if you want to, meet them face to face. If you don’t like the first family you meet it’s perfectly alright to keep looking until you find the best family for you and your baby.

On average, 18–24 months.

Contact can range from occasional updates and photo exchanges to regular visits, depending on what you and the adoptive family agree on. Every open adoption is unique, and the level of contact is tailored to what works best for everyone involved.

Yes, we are available 24/7 no matter where you are living. We can work with you to pick one of our waiting families, who are in California and Hawaii, or work with an agency in another state in order to make sure you have the best family and adoption plan for you.

No, home studies are prepared specifically to meet each state’s regulation. For families who are moving from one state to another, we may be able to work with your previous agencies and “endorse” your previous home study, which means we may be able to reuse some information from your previous home study and reduce the time and fees to update your home study.

Yes, California residents can adopt internationally. Adopt International is licensed to provide international adoption services and will help you meet U.S. immigration and California, or Hawaii, state regulations.

You will likely be required to complete a number of post adoption visits so that reports can be sent back to your child’s country of origin to update them on how you all are doing, your child’s growth and adjustment. Each country determines how many visits and reports are needed and the timing of such.

Post-adoption support is a key part of our commitment to families. We offer resources such as counseling, support groups, referrals, and educational materials. Whether you have questions about parenting, cultural connection, or adjustment challenges, our team is here to provide ongoing support well after your adoption is complete.

Yes, contact can change over time based on mutual agreement. Relationships evolve, and it's common for families to adjust their level of contact to reflect what’s best for the child and for everyone involved.

Yes, both domestic and international home studies must meet state requirements; however, international home studies must also meet Hague and country specific requirements. International home studies involve more training and more child abuse clearance.

If you are matched with a family before going into labor we will work with you, the adoptive family, and the hospital employees to create a hospital plan that meet your needs. This plan is flexible and can always change depending on how you are feeling at the hospital. We believe this is your time to call the shots and make sure the experience is what you want it to be.

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If you are admitted to the hospital and have not been matched yet, don’t worry. With our over 40 years of domestic adoption experience working with women, we are well versed in being flexible, and working quickly in order for you to pick an adoptive family, meet them, and even have the baby go home with them. We can help you fill out the paperwork, or can work with you to get it completed after discharge.

It depends on whether the adoption is recognized by the child’s country’s Central Authority. Guidance from an adoption agency is essential.

That’s okay. Open adoption is about choices, and if you decide that ongoing contact isn’t right for you, your wishes will be respected. You can still choose a family and create a plan without committing to future communication.

No, some of the expectant mothers we work with, don’t want to pick the family, and we are happy to do that for you if you want. We will ask you questions about yourself that help us narrow down who would be a good match for you and your baby.

Costs are similar to other adoptions, but some fees (like orphanage support) may be waived.

All adult members of the household must complete FBI, DOJ and child abuse reports in California. In addition, out of state child abuse reports must be obtained from states you have resided in, in the last 5 years (for domestic home studies) or since age 18 (for international home studies). For Hawaii, you must also complete a federal and Hawaii sex offender report.

Every open adoption is different because the relationship between the adoptive family, birth family, and adoptee changes based on how much and what kind of contact the birth family wants. Often birth families are in touch with the adoptive family pretty soon after the baby is born, and receive pictures, letters and even have visits with the child. Before the adoptive parents are able to finalize the adoption they have to wait 6 months. During that time they will meet with a social workers 4 times to check in on the baby, their parenting, and to make sure everything is going smoothly.

Not always. An attorney may be needed in the child’s country of origin or in complicated U.S. cases.

In most open adoptions, yes. Depending on the level of contact, your child will often know your name, your story, and have a sense of your love and reasons for choosing adoption. This openness can help the child form a healthy identity.

Yes, all household members are part of the home study. Adults over 18 years of age must complete a criminal background check, provide a medical clearance and complete a short interview. Documentation for children in the home include a medical and school report. They must also be present at the home inspection for observation/short interview, depending on the child’s age.

Yes. Children and family members residing in your home must be at the home inspection interview.

Don’t worry. We have been doing this for a long time and no matter how much time we have before the baby comes we will make sure you are supported, and feel comfortable throughout the process. We work with people at all stages of their pregnancy and some women even after they have delivered.

Many adoptive parents embrace open adoption because it helps them better support their child’s emotional and cultural identity. They often view birth parents as an important part of their child’s story and value the connection.

No, there is never any cost to birth families. Most state laws allow the adoptive family to pay for pregnancy related expenses for the birth mothers a few months before delivery and 1 or 2 months after. This means any maternity clothes you need will be covered, along with the medical bills, as well as a few other expenses. Every state is different but we can help you figure out what is allowed and what isn’t.

Research shows that children in open adoptions often benefit from the openness and are not confused. Having access to their birth story and knowing where they come from can provide comfort and clarity rather than confusion—especially when the relationship is handled with honesty and love.

No, one of the first steps in starting an adoption is starting a home study. For international adoption, you must have secured a Primary Provider before an international home study is officially started.

We will find a loving forever family for your child no matter what your medical history entails. Depending on the type and amount of the drugs used, we will make sure to match you with a family who is prepared to raise a child who may have been impacted by drugs in utero. It is important that you are honest and upfront about the drug use so we can match you with an appropriate family.

Yes. In fact, many expectant parents find comfort in meeting the adoptive family during pregnancy. This can help build trust and create a foundation for your ongoing relationship.

Some of the most common reasons for a delay of a completed home study is lack of transparency or disclosure of information and/or a delay in submitting documents in a timely manner. Reasons for a denied home study may include lack of transparency and disclosure of vital information.

In California, you can change your mind after birth until you legally sign the adoption papers and they are processed through the Department of Social Services, which can only happen after the baby is born. Once the papers are signed and your revocation period has passed, the adoption becomes permanent. It is usually 2-3 weeks after the baby is born.

In Hawaii you can change your mind after birth before you sign the adoption papers and give the adoptive family physical custody. Our social workers encourage you not to sign anything until you feel confident in your decisions and feel ready to sign the documents. We do not rush or pressure you in any way.

If you decide to parent your child we are completely supportive of you and the decision you have come to. This is a big and important decision, and we would never want you to feel pressure to place your child for adoption - no one will be upset with you.

Contact your home study agency once a major life event has occurred, including change of residence, a new adult in the household, a new child in the family, significant decrease in financial status, change in family (eg divorce) or significant change in health.

One of the benefits of open adoption is that there are no secrets. Children are told about their past and their birth families. They understand the decisions that you made when they were a baby were in the best interest of you and your child. Also, many birth parents enjoy making scrapbooks and albums that document pregnancy, birth, and the early life of their child from the perspective of the birth parent. We have seen that when children grow up knowing their birth families and are able to ask you questions they do better. They have less confusion, less anger and feelings of resentment and abandonment. Since we have been around for so long we have seen the benefits of open adoption first hand. Children of open adoption enjoy getting to know how they are like their birth families and how they are like their adoptive families.

Yes, your home study is confidential and only shared with agencies and authorities that you have authorized us to share with. In general, this includes your placing agency/ Primary Provider, attorney, judge, US immigration and foreign governments. Some states require an expectant parent to see a redacted version of the report, this would only be done with your consent.

Call us at (800) 969-6665 and we can answer any questions you have and send you the paperwork to get started. We can also meet with you face to face if you prefer.

No. An adoption agency, like Adopt International, will advocate for you and advise you of your legal rights. That being said, if you want a lawyer we will help get you one.

Yes, a birth certificate will be created that has your name, as the mother, and whatever name you give your child (we will get you an original of this birth certificate). With your permission, we will also get an original for your child to keep as many adoptees really value having a copy of their original birth certificate. When the family finalizes their adoption a new birth certificate will be made with the adoptive parent’s names, and the name they give the baby. Often both parties talk about it and decide a name together. Many adoptive parents choose to include the name you give the baby as their middle name.

In order for us to present a family to you they have to go through a long background check, where we look at their personal history, medical history, criminal history, and finances among other things. They are also required to take classes on parenting, and adoption. Then we approve them to become an adoptive family, this is called the Home Study. We find the best matches come when you and the prospective adoptive family have things in common like shared values, hobbies and dreams for your child.

Placing your child for adoption is a scary, stressful, and very hard thing to do. You will feel sad, there is no way around it. Grieving is a normal process after placing your child, and we are here to support you, listen and help you cope with your emotions at this time. Many people find it helpful to go to counseling or talk to other women or couples who have been through a similar situation.

Adopt International only works with families who want open adoptions and in California you have the option to make your post adoption agreement legally binding. We can help you figure out exactly what details you want in your agreement, and then make it legally binding if that is what you choose. If you live outside of California but pick a California family you may have the option to still have a legally binding agreement about continuing contact. Many other states have similar laws. We can help you figure out the laws of your state.