Agency Adoption or Private Adoption?
Whether you choose a privatte or agency adoption, the process, laws, fees, time lines, and protections can be very different. Make sure you learn the pros and cons of each.
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An agency adoption is arranged through a licensed child adoption agency. The state checks and licenses these agencies to make sure they can offer all of the needed services to both adoptive families and birth parents.
A private adoption is handled by an individual acting as a go-between. This person may be an attorney, doctor, nurse, friend, adoption facilitator, or referral service. In a private adoption, that person may help find a birth mother, match families, and handle the legal steps for ending parental rights.
What are other issues of an Agency Adoption?
In an agency adoption, a licensed agency may help you:
- Find a birth mother and child
- Match your family with a child
- Help with the child’s placement
- Guide everyone through ending parental rights
- Complete the final adoption process
Many states have different rules for agency adoptions and private adoptions. Because licensed agencies are very carefully watched by the state, some legal steps—such as ending parental rights—may move more quickly than they do in a private adoption.
A good agency carefully screens birth parents and gives adoptive families as much medical history as possible. The agency may also help the birth mother get prenatal care and medical care during and after delivery.
Just as important, the agency can provide support and counseling for both birth parents and adoptive parents. This support can help everyone feel more prepared and may lower the chance that the adoption plan changes before placement or becomes difficult afterward.
Adoption agencies may be run by a state or county. Others are private agencies, including faith-based and non-religious agencies. Some are nonprofit, while others are for-profit.
The most important step is to make sure the agency is licensed. Ask the agency for its license number and the phone number of the state office that licenses it. Then call that office yourself to confirm the agency is licensed and in good standing. Every state has a licensing authority and special adoption contact to answer your questions.
What are other issues of a Private Child Adoption?
Private adoptions can carry more risk for both birth parents and adoptive families. For example, an adoptive family may help pay for a birth mother’s living or medical costs. If she later decides to parent the child herself, the family may lose the money they paid, including legal fees.
An attorney, doctor, or friend may truly want to help. Still, they may not be able to provide all the services, screening, counseling, and oversight that a licensed agency can offer. For this reason, many families feel safer working with a licensed adoption agency.
Private adoptions may also leave out important support and follow-up care. Without counseling and guidance, there may be a greater chance that the adoption becomes an adoption disruption. Based on my experience with both private and agency adoptions, it is strongly recommended you work with a licensed agency and avoid the private adoption route.
Do Not Forget the Home Study
Even with a private adoption, you will usually need an adoption agency or qualified professional to complete a Home Study A home study looks at your home, background, health, and readiness to adopt. Most states require it before you can take legal custody of a child.
Again, based on my experience with both private and agency adoptions, it is strongly recommended you work with a licensed agency and avoid the private adoption route.
Where can I find additional Child Adoption Resources?
For additional help with an adoption agency adoption visit the link Selecting an adoption Agency. You can also find a list of adoption agencies in your state and neighboring states at the link Domestic Adoption Agencies.
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.