Types of Agencies, Adoption Laws, and Financial & Medical Assistance Programs Listed by State

We are a non-profit adoption agency that helps birth parents and families living in any state in the U.S. Since our founding in 1985, we have worked with thousands of birth parents and adopting families from all over the world and have completed over 900 successful placements.

Contact us or call (toll-free 1(800)943-0400) if you have any questions or if you want our guidance. We have a five-star Google rating and you can always visit our testimonial pages.

By reading the information below then using the charts found in each section you will find information about everything from child adoption, adoption agencies, financial and medical assistance programs, and support groups.

Birth Parents and Adopting Families

Special Note for Birth Mothers - We have a section especially to assist you with everything from health and nutrition, to state and federal government medical and financial assistance. We will help you whether you are parenting or are thinking of placing your child for adoption. Please click the link [ Help For Birth Mothers] for information on how we can help you.

Special Note for Adopting Families - If you are looking for information on how to adopt, on adoption laws, about adoption agencies, the types of adoption, government programs or anything regarding child adoption, including how we at Adoption Services can help you, please read the sections below and then select your state of residence from the chart at the bottom of this page.


Domestic Child Adoption

Domestic Child Adoption

Domestic adoption involves adopting a US citizen/baby. If you both reside in the same state it is termed a domestic intrastate adoption and if you and the child reside in different states it is termed a domestic interstate adoption. The details of the process depend on the state(s) involved as well as the age and degree of cooperation of the birth mother and birth father.

International Child Adoption

International Child Adoption

International adoption involves adopting a child from a country other than the one where you reside. In an international adoption the laws of your state, of the US and foreign government, and the requirements of the Hague Convention all must be met.

Types of Child Adoption

Types of Child Adoption

The types of adoption include domestic or international adoption as mentioned above, but there are also several additional choices; e.g., a licensed child adoption agency a private adoption or adoption through a facilitator or from foster care. Then there is open adoption or closed adoption. It is very important that before you start the adoption process that you to learn and understand the consequences and possible outcomes of each of these types of adoption.

Selecting a Child Adoption Agency

Selecting a Child Adoption Agency

We at Adoption Services, Inc hope that you will want to use our services for your adoption, but we understand that different people have different needs and with that in mind here are links to adoption agencies across the USA.

Home Study

Home Study

The Home Study is a detailed evaluation of you, your spouse if you are married, your home, and surrounding environment and is required in all domestic and international adoptions with the only exception being (in some states) adoption by a close relative. Regardless of what type of adoption you choose, we are available (depending on your state of residence) to assist you with the home study itself or with home study information.

Additional Adoptions

Additional Adoptions

Additional types of adoption include adopting a child with special needs, as well as single parent adoption, adoption by relatives, or step parent and trans-racial/cultural adoptions.

Adoption Exchanges in Each of the 50 States

Adoption Exchanges in Each of the 50 States

All 50 states' Adoption Exchanges provide you with the links and contact information to find children who are in the state foster care system and who are available for adoption.

Children's Health Insurance Program in Every State

Children's Health Insurance Program in Every State

Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in all 50 states can help assure your child of health insurance coverage. Additionally, Access to Health Insurance for Adopted Children is guaranteed by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 which mandates that adopted children the same access to health insurance as birth children.

Child Nutrition Programs in Every State

Child Nutrition Programs in Every State

Child Nutrition Programs in all U.S. states will help you understand many child nutrition issues and they provide low-cost and free food to children who qualify.

Child Welfare Offices in All 50 States

Child Welfare Offices in All 50 States

Child Welfare Offices can help you understand adoption law, regulations, and procedures. State child welfare agencies go by a variety of names, such as the Department of Human Resources, Department of Public Welfare, or the Department of Child Protective Services.

Department of Education in Every State

Department of Education in Every State

The State's Department of Education will help you identify early intervention programs and nutritional programs available to children.

Department of Health in All 50 States

Department of Health in All 50 States

The State's Department of Health can also be a good source of both health and nutrition information that can help with raising a child.

State Adoption Contacts in All 50 States

State Adoption Contacts in All 50 States

Each State's Adoption Contact can be a valuable source of information about adoption in general and more specifically about the state's child adoption program.

Adoption Rights and Laws

Adoption Rights and Laws

It is critical for you to understand the rights of all parties involved in the adoption process ( birth parents and adopting family), what is allowed and what is not, and what you can and can not do. If you do not understand the laws you risk having the adoption disrupted. We highly recommend you contact us, an adoption agency licensed in your state or an adoption attorney for the specifics BEFORE you start the adoption process. Keep in mind that additional laws may apply in international adoption or interstate adoptions or adoption of a child of American Indian heritage. Click the following link to read the each state's child adoption laws.

Financial Assistance Programs in All 50 States

Financial Assistance Programs in All 50 States

There are many types of federal and state government assistance programs that are available to assist parents of adopted children. These include the Federal Adoption Tax Credit, the Family and Medical Leave Act, benefits offered by some employers and state financial assistance programs.

Medical Assistance Programs in Every State

Medical Assistance Programs in Every State

Medical Assistance Programs includes information on medical conditions plus information on where you may be able to get free or discounted medical, dental and prescription care for your child.

Support Groups for Adopting Families in All 50 States

Support Groups for Adopting Families in All 50 States

Support Groups for Adopting Families provides you with a list of informational resources and support groups.

Raising Your Child

Raising Your Child

Raising your child requires that you understand infant nutritiondevelopmental issuesemotional issues and how to explain adoption to your child, family and friends. Adoption also raises special issues with schools for which you may want the help of a therapist that specializes in adoption.

Obtaining Birth Records

Obtaining Birth Records

Obtaining Birth Records can be difficult and confusing. The information in this section of our website is designed to help you with this process.

Assistance for Children Adopted From Foster Care

Assistance programs for children adopted from Foster Care come in two forms. Recurring and non-recurring and there are certain eligibility requirements.