Give a child the opportunity for a family and a future.

Learn more about domestic adoption.

Adopting a Child in the United States
Adoption is a wonderful journey. You will likely have many questions along the way. Bethany has been helping families adopt for more than 65 years, and we know prospective parents often seek answers to the following questions. If you have further questions, please feel free to contact us.

How will Bethany prepare us for adoptive parenthood?
We are here to support you at each step of your adoption journey. Bethany offers information meetings where you can hear from staff and talk with other prospective parents. You can also learn from others through our discussion forums at discussion.bethany.org. Although we cannot guarantee placement of a child in your home, many people have welcomed one or more children into their family through Bethany. As you prepare to adopt, our knowledgeable staff will offer counseling and guidance.

How can we apply to adopt?
You can locate a Bethany office near you or contact us for information on how to apply.  If you live in a state where Bethany has an office, please attend an information meeting or schedule an initial consultation.  You can also request a free adoption information packet to learn more about the process.

How will Bethany help us adopt?
Bethany staff will help you to know what is expected along the way.As a first step, you will take part in a Home Study interview process. This includes interviews, a home visit, paperwork, and assessments that are required by State law.

Do we have the right kind of family for adoption?
Adoptive families come in all shapes and sizes. Every family seeking to adopt a child must have a Home Study completed according to their state’s laws. We seek loving families who are emotionally mature, stable, and nurturing. In all cases, we desire the best placement for the child in need.

Do we choose the child that we adopt?
In infant adoption, the expectant parents usually select the adoptive family for their child. In the case of confidential adoptions, Bethany staff will select a family we believe is best suited for the child in need. We seek loving homes for each child we serve.

How will expectant parents know that we want to adopt?
Bethany staff can help you create a family profile that explains your family using pictures, captions, and text. Your local Bethany office will share your profile with expectant parents. You can also choose to place your profile on Bethany’s website [insert link to family profiles page] for expectant parents to view. Sometimes expectant and adoptive parents find each other by word of mouth or through networking. Bethany works cooperatively with pregnancy care centers, doctors, and hospitals to ensure that expectant parents know you are hoping to adopt.


Will we have ongoing contact with the expectant parents?
Bethany works with both the expectant and adoptive parents to initiate a mutually agreed upon relationship. This relationship includes the type of adoption and the degree of openness desired in your relationship. In today’s adoptions, Bethany experiences over 90% of infant adoptions within the U.S. having some form of openness. Often the birthparents’ and adoptive parents’relationship evolves over time in similar ways to extended family relationships, seeking what is in the child’s best interest.

When does placement occur?
The child may be placed in your home directly following birth or interim care. At times, interim care is provided for the infant while the birthparents make their final decision.

When will the adoption be finalized?
Finalization of infant adoption occurs after a specified period of time. This varies from state to state but is usually at least several months. Your local Bethany office can provide you with this information for your state.

When are adoption fees due?
Your local Bethany office can give you details about the amount and timing of adoption fees. Download our free Financing Adoption Resource Guide for more information.

How will Bethany help us adjust to changes after adoption?
Bethany is strongly committed to meeting your needs through our post-adoption services. For several months after the placement of the child in your home, you will meet periodically with a Bethany adoption specialist for required visits. We are always happy to help you when questions or concerns arise after an adoption. Feel free to contact our knowledgeable staff for support along your journey.

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