the adoption PROCESS

8 Steps to Adopting a Baby

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  Step 1: Complete our free adoption application.

  Once you have made the decision to adopt, the first step is to complete our free adoption application. It’s easy! We’ll review your application and will reach out to you within a few days. You’ll be asked to set up an informational meeting with one of our adoption coordinators in which you’ll learn more about our newborn adoption process and have the chance to ask any questions you have.

Complete Our Free Adoption Application
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  Step 2: Start the home study process.

  In order to legally adopt a baby in the United States, you must have an adoption home study completed by a licensed home study agency or social worker. If you’ve already started or finished this step, you’re off to a great start! If you haven’t begun yet, we’ll be happy to provide you with referrals for home study providers in your area. This process usually takes anywhere from two to six months, and since it’s a legal requirement to adopt, we recommend starting the home study process as early as possible.

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  Step 3: Create your adoptive family profile.

  Our profile coordinator and designer will work with you to create your custom adoptive parent profile using photos and content provided by you. Your profile is what we present to prospective birthmothers to help them find the adoptive family that is best for them and their baby. In order to create the best possible adoptive family profile, it’s important to paint a vivid picture of your home, lifestyle, and family. Be genuine, honest, and passionate!

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  Step 4: Get selected by an expectant mother.

  Once your profile is completed, you’ll let us know your adoption preferences, including the level of post-placement communication you’re open to. We will only present your profile to expectant mothers whose situations align with your adoption preferences. While you’re waiting to be chosen, you’ll take our Adoptive Parent Education Course and start regular education calls with your dedicated adoptive parent coordinator. When an expectant mother chooses you, we’ll contact you immediately, so you can begin communicating with her as soon as possible.

 
 
"Adopting a child is typically not an easy process for anyone involved, but LifeLong was always by our side through all the ups and downs."
Steph, LifeLong Adoptive Parent
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  Step 5: Connect with the expectant mother.

  If the expectant mother you’re communicating with decides she’d like to move forward with your family exclusively, as the prospective adoptive parents, you will begin supporting her financially. As part of the adoption process, the birthmother may want to meet. If this happens, our helpful adoption professionals will assist you in preparing for this meeting, including recommending questions and things to do.

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  Step 6: Hire an adoption attorney.

  We’ll refer you to an adoption attorney in your state who you will retain in order to start that part of the adoption process. Depending on the expectant mother’s situation and state laws, you may need to hire services in her state as well. During this part of the infant adoption process, you will continue to communicate with the birthmother, based on what type of adoption both parties have agreed to. It’s a good idea to come up with a post-placement agreement on what communication and contact look like after the adoption has been finalized.

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  Step 7: Travel to the baby’s birth state.

  When the expectant mother you’re working with goes into labor, you’ll need to get to her hospital as soon as possible. Our coordinators will make sure you have all the information you need and will keep everyone else informed, so you can focus on traveling. What happens at the hospital, including before, during, and after the baby is born, depends entirely on the expectant mother’s birth plan. Ideally, she will have worked with her social worker or attorney to outline that beforehand.

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  Step 8: Finalize the adoption and take your baby home.

  The laws surrounding the finalization process vary significantly from state to state. Your attorney will make sure you’re aware of the laws applicable to your situation. Some adoptions are finalized within a few days, and others may take months based on the situations and state laws. If your baby was born in a different state, you will need to remain in that state until the paperwork is processed that will allow the baby to legally leave the state. This part of the newborn adoption process can take around 7-10 days, at the end of which time, you can bring your new family member home! Whatever post-placement agreement you made with the birthmother should be honored post-adoption.

  Once your adoption has been finalized, we’ll happily celebrate with you! Our coordinators will ask you to share photos with us, so we can create and publish your adoption announcement on our website and in our newsletter.