Domestic Adoption


For more than 60 years, Bethany Christian Services has helped build families through adoption. Domestic infant adoption provides multiple services, including home studies and support -- prior to, during, and following the adoption process. By reaching out to a child who needs a home, adoptive families find their lives immeasurably enriched.
Listen to a testimonial.

Fee Schedule
Types of Adoption

Domestic Adoption Process
  • Receive pre-application packet by requesting it over the phone or website
  • Mail pre-application packet, signed Statement of Faith, Spiritual Questionnaire, and pre-application fee back to our office.
  • Executive Director receives your pre-application and sends a letter inviting you to Orientation.
  • Attend our one-day orientation meeting, typically held three times a year and receive complete formal application packet.
  • Complete the materials in the formal application and return them along with the formal application fee to our office.
  • Attend Domestic Adoptive Family Training, scheduled soon after orientation meeting.
  • References will be sent to your employer, pastor, family, and friends.
  • After all references have been received, the Executive Director will assign your family to a case worker to begin the interview (home study) process.
  • Your case worker will meet with you in our office for a minimum of 3 meetings: as a couple in our office, individually in our office and finally with your family in your home.
  • Adoptive Family Assessment (home study) is written by the case worker and approved by the Executive Director.
  • Once approved, you are in our “pool of families.” The waiting period can range from one month to three years. The average waiting time is 15 months.
  • Your profile will be shown to each birth mother whose criteria match with your characteristics and openness requirements.
  • You are chosen! You will be given all of the information on the birth family and a meeting will be set up to share information, questions, hopes, and plans.
  • Placement may take place directly from the hospital or the child may be placed in interim care during the birthmother’s revocation period.
  • Your attorney files a Petition to Adopt in the county in which you reside.
  • Your case worker will visit your home three times during the six months it takes to finalize your adoption to check on the development and growth of the baby, the home environment, and your well being. Each visit will be documented by a report and will be submitted to the court. Your case worker is available to call upon for consultation or support.
  • You finalize your adoption and the baby is legally given your last name. Your case worker will attend court with you for support.
  • Bethany Christian Services of Middle Tennessee is here for you and your family for any post-placement and post-finalization services you may want or need. We also hope that you continue to be involved with the Bethany family.

Qualifications for applicants:
Bethany is looking for couples who…
  • Are committed Christians
  • Active members of a church and will sign Bethany’s Statement of Faith. Applicants are asked to also provide personal Statements of Faith.
  • Can meet the physical, emotional, spiritual, and financial needs of a child
  • Want to join the ministry of Bethany in promoting life affirming options

Services Offered
  • Orientation
  • Education
  • Adoptive Family Assessments (home study)
  • Adoption Planning
  • Placement
  • Post-Placement Follow-up
  • Networking opportunities
  • Finalization
  • Post-Placement Adoption Support
  • Support Groups


Please call 615.242.0909 or contact us for more information.