About Adoption Agencies

Every adoption agency in the state of Alabama operates differently. Should you choose to work with a private adoption agency, speaking with and interviewing several adoption agencies before picking the adoption agency that is right for you is worth the time and money invested.

Licensed child placing adoption agencies are required to follow Alabama adoption laws. As private adoption agencies, they can add their own requirements for the couples with whom they choose to work. An example of the possible requirements are; length of couples’ marriage, age of couple, financial security and religion of couple. Adoption agencies can require additional paperwork, health tests and more from couples seeking to use their adoption agency. Many adoption agencies will work with a limited number of couples so check to see if there is a waiting list.

The benefits of using an adoption agency is that they walk you through the paperwork of the adoption process and they find a birthmother for you. After you have provided a profile book or web site to the agency you can relax and wait to be matched with a birthmother. Many times agencies can provide a timeframe in which you can expect to be matched. The cons of an adoption agency are the high costs of agency placement fees and you are still responsible for paperwork, birthmother assistance, medical fees, home study costs, parent profile costs and hiring an adoption attorney.

Even when using a child placing adoption agency, you may be required to hire an adoption attorney to prepare paperwork needed for the adoption to be finalized in court. These fees are separate to the agency’s adoption fees. Donna Ames is a qualified adoption attorney that can work in finalizing your adoption.