Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions about adoption. At the time of adoption, the birth parents can choose whether or not they would be willing to be contacted in the future by the child placed for adoption. The level of contact between birth parents, the adoptive family, and the adopted child is a decision between birth parents and the respective adoptive parents.
FAQs About Adoption
Can I pick the family to adopt?
Yes. Most adoption agencies help you determine what you are looking for and show you families with those characteristics, such as age, how many children in the family, where they are located, religion, experience with adoption, and many other factors.
Once you have selected a family that you are comfortable with, you meet them, ask your questions, and make your final decision. Most families interested in adopting have already completed a home study that includes a review of their financial, physical, employment, household, criminal and personal backgrounds. This ensures they are fit to adopt.
How do I know my baby will be safe with someone else?
Adoption agencies set standards for adoptive parents that gives assurance that a child placed in an adoptive home will be safe. You also have the option of selecting a family by researching their profiles, having phone conversations with them, and meeting them face to face.
What are my baby’s father’s rights in adoption?
Fathers do have rights but they must exercise them to protect their rights. In other words, if a man is opposed to an adoption plan, legally he needs to step up and show that he will be financially supportive before and after the birth and be willing to legally commit to fatherhood for 18 years and he must do so in writing and file it with the Court.
I don’t know the identity of the father. Can I still make an adoption plan?
Yes. When the identity of the father is unknown, adoption agencies will do a search of their state’s Putative Father Registry to see if any man has registered saying he might be the father. This registry is helpful if a man is trying to protect his rights and a mom says she doesn’t know who the father is. In that case, if he has put his name in the registry, it will pop up during the search.
What kind of assistance can I receive while I’m pregnant?
You may be entitled to get help covering your pregnancy-related expenses. Known as “living expenses,” these funds are determined by your financial needs and the amount allowed by the state in which you live. As a general rule, all maternity-related living expenses including housing, food, transportation, medication, utilities, phones and insurance may be covered. Adopting families may be willing to pay for additional expenses
What type of relationship can I have with the family?
That is really up to you. In this day and age, most adoptions are pretty open through secure 3rd party social media platforms, like Facebook. Some birth mothers want an open adoption or semi-open adoption so they can have some kind of relationship and others want a closed adoption. You have the final say in what type of relationship you want.
Will my baby be confused if I choose open or semi-open adoption?
Confusion largely depends on the extent of communication between the child and the adoptive family. Closed adoption seems to generate more confusion or frustration for adopted children because of the larger number of unknowns.
How much can I find out about an adoptive family for my baby?
Potential adoptive families provide profiles that often include photographs. Some couples even present their profile in the form of a scrapbook. The available information may include the size of their family, where they live, what they do for a living, how long they have been married, how they met, names of their pets, and their health history. They often include their religious views. Most will include some photographs of themselves and their surroundings.
What will the adoptive parents of my baby have to know about me?
The adoptive parents will want to know all they can about you. They will probably be interested in your medical history, your healthcare, your age, and your interests. You are free to provide any additional information that you would like to share.
Will I be able to see my baby when it’s born?
You are free to see your baby when he or she is born and for as much time as you would like. Depending on the state where your child is born, papers do not normally become effective and are sometimes not even signed until 24 to 48 hours after your child’s birth.
Can I name the baby?
Yes and you will receive a birth certificate showing your name as the mother of the child and the child’s name. That will change after the adoption is finalized but you will get an original birth certificate, if you like.
Next Steps
These answers to the most frequently asked questions about adoption are a starting point. You’ll find it helpful to talk to an adoption professional and explore adoption in greater detail. You can ask questions and learn more about the process without pressure. Click our resource directory to get started.
