The Adoption Process

If you are unexpectantly pregnant or struggling to parent and are considering adoption, you probably have a lot of questions. What is the adoption process, and how long does the adoption process take are probably on your list.

The first thing you need to know is that with modern, open adoption, you are the one in charge, and you will decide how your unique adoption journey will go. You will work with an adoption coordinator who will find out your needs and dreams for your child and help you create an adoption plan. With open adoption, you can choose a family open to the post-adoption contact you desire. You can receive photos, social media contact, and even visits. Adoption no longer means you have to say “goodbye” to your child forever.

Here is how the process works:

Contact an Adoption Coordinator

First, you will talk, email, or text with an adoption coordinator. She will ask for your due date or the age of your child. If you are pregnant, she will ask for proof of pregnancy from your doctor or clinic. This can be a positive pregnancy test or ultrasound. If you have a child you are currently parenting, she will ask for medical records and school records if that applies.

Your adoption coordinator will also ask if you have information on the birth father, if you have any medical conditions, and if you are receiving prenatal care. You will find your adoption coordinator will be kind, non-judgmental, and just wants to be able to support you.

View Adoptive Family Profiles

pregnant Hispanic woman looking at families to adopt her babyNext, you can review adoptive family profiles if you like. If you are looking for a Hispanic adoptive family, you can see all of those families here. You can narrow it down on our parent company, Lifetime Adoption’s site by location, religion, if they have other children, and whether they are single or a couple. You will be able to find out what their lifestyle is and often view a video to get a good idea of their personalities. Once you choose a family or a few families, you can speak or text with them and get to know them on a personal level. You can be the one who chooses the family for your child.

On the other hand, if you do not want to choose, your adoption coordinator can do that for you. She will ask what is important to you and match you with a family she believes suits you and your baby. It is up to you how the family is chosen and how much and what kind of contact you would like to have after the adoption is finalized.

Create a Hospital or Transition Plan

The next step is to work with your coordinator to create a hospital plan if you are pregnant or a transition plan if you are parenting. You can decide if you would like the adoptive family to be at the hospital when you deliver. You will choose who will hold and feed the baby first and can add any other requests you might have to the hospital plan. If you are parenting, a transition plan will be created that is focused on the child. It may be designed to have a visit for a few hours first, then perhaps an overnight stay. It will be individualized to the needs of your child.

You will not be alone as you work through the adoption process. Your coordinator will be right there with you to answer your questions, help you get and support services you need, and guide you toward a great match with an adoptive family.

If you are ready to get started, the first step is to fill out this easy questionnaire to help us understand more about you and your wishes for yourself and your baby or child. We also offer this questionnaire en Espanol.