Adoption Agencies: Domestic

We believe that good and caring people deserve the chance to provide a safe and loving home to a child through adoption. And while we would enjoy helping you, we want you to feel that every option is available to you.  Below you will find information about us, about other adoption agencies around the U.S. and also about the risks involved in using unlicensed adoption facilitators or participating in a private adoption.

We are Adoption Services, Inc.  We are a licensed non-profit adoption agency and able to assist adopting families and birth mothers in every state in the U.S.  We can also assist you if you are considering adopting a child internationally.  We are much more than just a child adoption agency.  We are also caring people who are doing everything within our power to assist pregnant women, birth parents, adopting families and children everywhere.  In fact, we have created one of the largest sources of information in the world, spanning the 9 websites you see at the top of this page, to provide information on everything from how to adopt a child, how to become a better parent, plus all kinds of information to assist you, pregnant women and birth parents with everything from financial and medical assistance programs to support groups.  We also care enough that we made the decision long ago that all of our services will always be free to pregnant women and birth parents, regardless of whether they are placing a child for adoption or just need help and information to raise the child themselves.  We do all this because we care.

If you feel that we can help you please contact us.  If for any reason you would like the help of some other child adoption agency, please read further down the page and you will be taken to lists of adoption agencies around the U.S.

                                                                               Thank You

                                                                               Dr Vince Berger

Because of the great diversity in adoption agencies, it may take you a good bit of time for you to learn about the adoption agencies that may be appropriate for you.

The three easiest, quickest, and least expensive ways to learn about adoption agencies is to do an internet search (such as you are doing now), check out the listing below, click on this selecting an agency link, and/or contact your state adoption authority and ask them to send you a list of all licensed adoption agencies in your state. The list will probably include both public and private, as well as non-profit and for profit agencies, but will be limited to adoption agencies in your state. In addition to the agency names you got from the state, also check the Yellow Pages. Note that you do not have to limit yourself to adoption agencies that are physically located in your state of residence.

How Adoption Agencies Differ From One Another

It is important to know that while there are some similarities among adoption agencies, there are typically more differences than similarities. They have different requirements for applicants.  Their have different process of approving families.  One agency's philosophy may be nothing like another agency just down the street.  Many agencies specialize in one type of placement or another.  Most agencies have their own requirements for the types of people they will accept onto their waiting list.

Adoption agencies usually prefer adopting couples, rather than single parents.  They are happiest with people who are between the ages of 25 and 45. Many also require a couple to have been married for at least a specific number of years. Some agencies will not work with your family if you already have children. Virtually all agencies will want to be sure you are financially able to raise a child properly. Many also prefer to match race and ethnic background.

Private child adoption agencies usually deal with local infants or infants from neighboring states. Some agencies handle only newborn babies or only healthy baby adoptions. Public agencies generally place "special needs" children and children for foster care.  The most important variable is not whether the adoption agencies are public or private, non-profit or profit, whether they conduct open child adoptions or closed adoptions, or even what state they are in.  The most important thing is for you to confirm that they are a licensed adoption agency and not a finder program or an adoption facilitator.

The best way to find out if an adoption agency is licensed is to call the adoption agency and ask them for their license number and the name and telephone number of their licensing authority.  If they do not have one or will not give it to you, something is wrong and I strongly advise you to look elsewhere.  Once they give you the requested information, be sure, in every case, to call the licensing authority and confirm it is a licensed adoption agency and that it is in good standing.

Where to Begin? What to do First?

I suggest you make a separate folder for every agency you contact. Whenever you receive information from an agency, put it into the appropriate folder. Whenever you call them, make a note of the conversation and add that note into the folder.

You are trying to accomplish two things at this point. First, you want to let the adoption agency know you are looking for their help in adopting a child. Second, you need them to let you know what they can do to help you.  At the very least, you should get from them some statement about their philosophy and something that gives you any idea of the types of adoptions they do and the types of children they place. Are they able to do open and closed adoptions, domestic and international adoptions, and  interstate and intrastate adoptions?  Do they use direct placement or do they use foster care instead?  Can they help you regardless of your age, marital status, whether you have children or not, if you have a divorce history, if you are still undergoing infertility treatments, if you are working with other agencies, regardless of your life style, etc.

If it isn't offered, specifically ask for a copy of their information handouts, any brochures and application forms. Also request them to send you a schedule of their services and fees.

What The Agencies May Tell You

Many agencies may tell you that they have closed their active waiting list for the present time. They may tell you they will take your name and number and call you whenever they reopen their waiting list.  Leave your name whenever you can. Make a note of the conversation and put it into the folder you have created for this particular agency. Make sure you put down the date you called and the name of the person you talked to. Later on, you'll develop a system where you'll call back at regular intervals.

You don't have to stop this first contact with just leaving your name and address and asking them to send you some forms and brochures. There are a number of facts you need to know about every adoption agency before you can go ahead with them.

What You Want the Adoption Agencies to Tell You

You want to make sure the agency meets your needs. Take some time to develop a list of questions that are important to you and make sure they are able to address your concerns.

Ask what kinds of adoptions the agency handles.  Do they concentrate on newborn babies?  Do they deal with bi-racial, special needs or older children?   Do they do international adoptions? Ask how many children they typically pace in a year and what types of children they placed.

Ask if they have any special requirements for adopting families. The things you may be especially concerned about are these: age, health condition of the adopting parents, financial status, religion, residency requirements, marital status, pre-existing conditions such as previous treatment for mental health problems.  Ask if there are any other requirements you didn't know to ask about.

Ask them how long their waiting list is, specifically in terms of the number of people ahead of you. Ask them to give you an estimate of how long the waiting time for you will be. If they have an active, open waiting list, ask how you can get on it. If their list is presently closed, ask how you can be included when they reopen the list.

Ask about their registration/application process. Can you fill out an initial application form? Is there some way you can be sure you are notified of further developments?

Question them about their home study policies.  Do they do individual and/or group home studies?  Do they require you to attend some kind of home study seminar? How long does it take?  Will they accept a home study from another agency?  Do other agencies accept their home study evaluation?  Is there a separate fee for the home study and, if so, how much is it?  Will they give you a copy or the original of any home study they do for you?

Ask about all the fees involved in the adoption process.  Ask them to send you a fee schedule. Ask if their fees include medical and legal expenses, or are these separate?  This is very important. Be sure you clearly understand what fees are going to be paid to the mother for her maternity expenses. What about expenses if the child has medical problems or complications?  Ask if they have a fixed fee or a sliding fee schedule. For your own information, a sliding scale is illegal in many states.

Can you specify the sex of the baby you want to adopt?  Find out if they use foster care placement until the birth parent's rights are terminated, or if they place the child immediately into your home.  Question them carefully about what happens if the birth parents change their minds after you have already paid the medical expenses and/or agency fees. Will you be able to recovery any portion of your money?

Ask if you need to hire a lawyer.  Will legal services be provided to the birth parents? Will one lawyer serve everyone?  Who pays for the legal services provided to birth parents and agency?

Question them about their policies regarding open and closed adoptions.  Ask if they have a support group for adopting parents.  Do they offer any services after the child has been placed for adoption?  How about after the adoption has been finalized?  Do they offer any instruction in infant and child care?

Do they have any type of contract with the birth parents? Specifically, do they have something in writing that deals with the birth parents' responsibilities if they change their minds? Will the birth parents have to pay back any of the money they have received if they change their minds?

Ask if they use a guaranteed waiting list (i.e. first-come first served basis) or do they use a pooling technique where birth parents review adoption family profiles and select a family?

It is very important that you understand the difference between a licensed child adoption agency and adoption facilitators or private agencies. Licensed adoption agencies are regulated by the state to insure that everything that is done in a manner that is legal and in the best interest of all parties involved. Adoption facilitators and private agencies are often not licensed, not regulated by the state and can in some instances cause the adopting family (you) to lose all or part of your money or cause you the heartbreak of having to return a child that had been living in your home simply because the paperwork was not done perfectly.  Or even worse lose your money and the child.  With this in mind, we recommend that if you do not use our services you contact one of the licensed child adoption agencies listed below to see if they can assist you.

If you are looking for a child adoption agency simply click the link below for the state to see a list of the adoption agencies in that state.

If you would like information on adopting a child from any of the countries simple click on the countries name.

For more information about international child adoption click on the link international adoption and visit the website devoted entirely to internationalAdoptionHelp.

Adoption Services has extensive experience with open and closed child adoption as well as variations of these two.  We are able to help you with an adoption regardless of the state in which you reside.

Remember that in every adoption, except a intra family adoption, you will need a Home Study.  Adoption Services is able to complete a Home Study for adopting persons who are residents of PA, NJ, NY, VA, WV, and FL.

If you need or want some specific personal advice contact your state child welfare agency or state adoption contact.  You can also call Dr. Vince Berger, a psychologist and adoption professional.

Please visit our home page to read about our commitment to assist adoptive parents like you as well as pregnant women and birth parents.