Legal Process


If you choose adoption for your baby, we at the Bethany Christian Services office of Missouri, serving Central/Southern Illinois will stand by you throughout the process.

In Illinois, the legal process for you as the mother is as follows:

  • You will sign termination of parental rights papers after the baby is born. In Illinois, mothers cannot terminate their parental rights until 72 hours after the child's birth.
  • The birthfather can sign relinquishment papers before or after the baby is born.
  • After you surrender your parental rights you may not change your mind and revoke your decision.
  • Only the mother and father of the baby have rights, even if you are a minor. Neither your parents nor extended relatives can contest your adoption plan.
  • After the baby leaves the hospital, your child will be placed with the adoptive family you have chosen. If the father of your child has not signed termination of parental rights paper,Bethany Christian Services can either provide interim care for your child with a well trusted Bethany Christian Services interim family whose main goal is to look after babies who are transitioning into their forever adoptive families or your baby can go directly to the family as an at risk situation.
Download Birthparents' Rights & Responsibilities

As a client at Bethany Christian Services, you have the right to:
  • Be treated with dignity and respect, not judgment or criticism.
  • Explore all of your options in a non-directive, non-coercive environment, including parenting and all levels of openness in adoption.
  • Be fully informed about your legal rights during the decision-making stage.
  • Choose the prospective adoptive family if this is what you want to do. (Almost all, if not all, states allow this).
  • Develop an adoption plan with your social worker and the adoptive family.
  • Spend time in the hospital with your baby.
  • Make the decision about adoption after the birth of the baby. Planning for adoption does not make it a definite decision and an adoption plan does not become definite until you sign legal papers releasing your rights.
  • Sign relinquishment (consent or release) papers when you are ready.
  • Have your questions answered honestly and completely, at any stage.
  • Have your relationship with your child acknowledged and your grief and loss recognized.
  • Change agencies or attorneys if you feel that your rights are not being respected.
  • You have a right to post –placement support.

If you are pregnant and need immediate assistance, call our Toll-Free Hotline at 1.800.BETHANY. We have caring and compassionate counselors available to help you through the process.