How Do Adoption Agencies Work?

The role of an adoption agency is to guide and support the birth mother and adoptive family through the adoption process. Adoption agencies help birth parents find the perfect adoptive families for their children. They organize paperwork, facilitate communication when needed, plan adoption payments, and settle birth mother expenses.

At Abiding Love Adoptions, we are dedicated to loving and supporting each member of the adoption journey, we call it the adoption triad! We offer personalized care and support for:

Expectant Mothers

  • In-person Advocacy in your state
  • Legal representation by your own adoption attorney
  • Financial assistance before and after placement*
  • One-to-one coaching with a Birth Mother Mentor
*until 6 weeks after placement

Adoptive Families

Adoptees

We know this is another large gap in the adoption community. We are working on creating care for you too! Check back soon for more details.

We make it our mission to love all members of the triad big and well!

What are the Different Adoption Options?

What is Open Adoption?

Open adoption is exactly what it sounds like–open! It allows the birth parent(s) to continue to have contact with her child and the adoptive family after the adoption is finalized. This can range from email communication to in-person visits, depending on everyone’s comfort level. Some birth mothers and adoptive families even celebrate special occasions together, such as birthdays and holidays!

What is Semi-Open Adoption?

Semi-open adoption is a form of open adoption in which most or all communication between the birth mother and adoptive family is managed by the adoption agency. The birth mother may or may not remain involved in the child’s life after the adoption, but can still receive pictures and updates from the adoptive family, through the agency. Interaction can increase or decrease over time, depending on how both parties feel about the relationship.

What is Closed Adoption?

Closed adoption does not allow for any communication between the birth parent(s) and the adoptive family. No identifying information, such as names or phone numbers, is shared between the birth parents and the adoptive family. However, the adoptive family is provided with the birth mother’s medical history so they can get the proper care for the child if medical problems arise.

Public Adoption vs. Private Adoption: What’s the Difference?

Public adoption is usually considered a foster care adoption, with the ultimate goal of reuniting the child with their biological family. However, there are some situations in which it’s unsafe for the child to return to their family. In those cases, the public adoption agency initiates the process of terminating the parents’ legal rights and matching the child with an adoptive family.

In private adoption (also known as independent adoption), the birth parents voluntarily place their child for adoption, usually as an infant. They also work with an adoption agency to select the adoptive family they feel is the best fit for their child.

When is Adoption Finalized?

In order for an adoption to be legally finalized, all state adoption laws must be fulfilled. While adoption laws and post-placement requirements can vary from state to state, every adoption must meet the following criteria:

Termination of Parental Rights

The birth parents must have their parental rights ethically and legally terminated. Whether they voluntarily relinquish their rights or they are legally terminated by the court, this step is necessary for the child to be adopted.

Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) Clearance

ICPC is a law that protects children who are adopted across state lines. It serves as a checks and balances system between states, proves the adoption is legal, and ensures that the child is placed in a safe environment. All ICPC regulations must be followed for the adoption to be finalized.

Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Clearance

ICWA is federal a law that governs the adoption of Native American children by non-native families. It helps preserve Native American tribes and families so that adopted children can remain connected to their heritage and culture. In order for the adoption to be finalized, the adoption attorney must prove that ICWA clearances were conducted.

Post-Placement Visits

Each state requires a certain amount of post-placement visits with the adoptive family after the adoption is finalized. These visits are like an extension of the home study. The goal is to ensure that the adoptive child is adjusting well to their new environment and that the adoptive family is providing the love and care the child needs to thrive.

Get in touch

Want to Know More?

Abiding Love Adoptions is an Adoption Agency that specializes in Infant Adoption. Our mission is to love and support the Birth Mother throughout the Open Adoption Process. If you want to know more about your choices you can email us by filling out the form to the right.