Domestic infant adoption is the process of adopting a newborn or very young child within the United States. It typically involves a birth parent voluntarily placing their child with an adoptive family through an adoption agency or attorney.
16 steps across 2 sections
1. Steps Process
- Research and Decide on an Adoption Path
- Agency adoption: Work with a licensed adoption agency that facilitates the entire process
- Independent/private adoption: Work with an adoption attorney; you find the birth parent (or they find you) without an agency intermediary
- Facilitated adoption: A combination using an adoption facilitator to connect families with birth parents
- Research agencies/attorneys thoroughly: check licensing, reviews, and Better Business Bureau ratings
- Meet Eligibility Requirements
- Must be at least 21 years old (age requirements vary by state)
- Complete background checks (state and FBI)
- Meet financial stability requirements
- No specific marital status requirement in most states (singles, married couples, and domestic partners can all adopt)
2. Key Details
- Cost: $20,000-$50,000+ (agency fees, attorney fees, home study, court costs, birth parent expenses where legally permitted)
- Timeline: 1-3 years from start to finalization
- Open adoption: The majority of domestic infant adoptions today are "open" — birth parents and adoptive parents maintain some level of contact (letters, photos, visits)
- Birth parent expenses: Many states allow adoptive parents to pay for birth parent living expenses, medical costs, and counseling during pregnancy
- Tax credit: The federal adoption tax credit (approximately $16,810 per child in 2024) can offset some costs
- Employer benefits: Many employers offer adoption assistance or reimbursement — check your benefits
Common Mistakes
- Not researching agencies thoroughly (some charge excessive fees or have poor ...
- Having unrealistic expectations about the timeline (the wait can be long)
- Not being open to different levels of openness in adoption (birth parents str...
- Not preparing emotionally for the possibility of a failed match (birth parent...
- Underestimating the total cost and not planning financially
Pro Tips
- Join adoptive parent support groups and online forums early — experienced fam...
- Be open and honest in your family profile — birth parents can sense authenticity
- Openness to transracial adoption, birth parent contact, and medical unknowns ...
- Understand your state's birth parent consent laws — some states allow consent...
- Budget for unexpected costs: travel to the birth parent's state, extended hot...