An independent adoption and an identified agency adoption are the two main methods used in domestic infant adoption. The benefit of being able to choose between an independent adoption and an identified agency adoption is you are able to choose a style that caters to your needs and preferences.

An identified agency placement takes place when a birth mother relinquishes her parental rights to a licensed domestic adoption agency so that the adoption agency can place the baby with the adoptive parent(s) she selects or identifies. While the adoptive parent(s) take immediate physical custody of the baby from the hospital, the adoption agency maintains legal custody over the baby until the adoption is finalized. During that time, the domestic adoption agency assesses whether it believes that the placement is appropriate and then makes a recommendation to the Court.

An Independent or direct placement domestic infant adoption takes place when a birth mother selects adoptive parent(s) and then directly gives them physical and legal custody of the baby without the involvement of a domestic adoption agency. While a home study completed by a licensed domestic adoption agency is still required, independent or direct placement adoptions are primarily handled by adoption attorneys who utilize independent social workers. Independent or direct placement adoptions are streamlined and may provide birth parents and adoptive parents with a greater ability to pursue a customized adoption plan according to what is important to the parties involved.

Choosing how to adopt a baby depends on your personal preferences as well as the laws of the states involved. Indeed, some states have laws that make independent or direct placement domestic infant adoptions favorable, while other states prohibit adoptions that are not regulated by a licensed not-for-profit adoption agency.

In both of these common methods, domestic adoption attorneys terminate birth father rights, ensure compliance with the law of the states involved and finalize the adoption in court. At AdoptHelp, our job is to present all of the options to you, create an adoption plan that best protects your interests and then handle all of the details of your adoption.

We Offer an Adoption Attorney

At its core, adoption is a legal process. Adoption laws must be followed in the state where the birth parents reside and state in which the adoptive parent(s) reside. This can be challenging because the laws for how to adopt a baby often conflict between states. At AdoptHelp, an AdoptHelp Law Center adoption attorney is involved in every step of your adoption plan. This helps ensure that all regulations are followed and that the adoption you wish to pursue is one that will be granted by the judge responsible for overseeing the adoption.

Each AdoptHelp adoption attorney is licensed to practice law in California and has experience in handling interstate adoptions. We also work with adoption attorneys across the country who we can integrate into any adoption plan that requires the involvement of an out-of-state adoption attorney.

How to Adopt a Baby

As you learn about how to adopt a baby, remember that there are numerous approaches one can take in domestic adoption of infants. The ultimate goal of AdoptHelp is not to push anyone toward a generic plan, but to help everyone create a personalized adoption plan that is right for them. For more information, click on the link below.