Can you give a child up for adoption
Can I Give My Baby Up For Adoption After I Give Birth?
“This was one of the hardest and most unselfish decisions I ever had to make. But it was the best one.”– Katherine
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How Can I Put My Baby Up For Adoption After Birth?
Yes. You can place your child for adoption after you’ve given birth. You can also make an adoption plan at the last minute, even while you are in labor. Read on for more information and some answers to questions you may have about last minute adoption and how it works, and how Adoption Network can help you no matter where you are in your process.
I’m in labor, can I make an adoption plan now?
Yes. If you are in labor and for any reason feel you can’t take care of your baby, you have options.
You can call us to make an adoption plan. We can help you find a family who will be thrilled to adopt your child and provide an immediate, permanent, loving home for him or her. We are able to send you links to view several families’ profiles so that you can choose the perfect family for your baby. If you wish, the adoptive parents will come to the hospital as quickly as possible.
I already had my baby, can I make an adoption plan now?
Yes. If you are still in the hospital or even at home with your baby and feel that you cannot take care of him or her, you have options. We have hundreds of families in our network and most of them are open to immediate placement.
Even if your baby is a little older, you can still call Adoption Network for assistance. We have families interested in adopting an older baby or young child (up to about 2-years old). You will be able to learn about the waiting families, and both you and your child will have the opportunity to meet them to make the transition as easy and smooth as possible.
What if I Choose Foster Care for my Child?
Foster Care placements can be planned prior to birth, but unless the Children’s Services department has determined that it would be a danger for the baby to go home with you, the final decision to place a baby into foster care is made after the baby is born. When this happens the baby is placed into a home suitable to provide foster care, and some sort of long range planning, either reunification with you, or identifying a prospective adoptive home, begins. Some Children’s Services departments are required to first check with extended family members referred to as “concerned relatives” before placing a baby in a foster home outside of the family.
Whether placing your baby into foster care was your decision or not, if this happens, the Children’s Services department should provide you with information about your parental rights, scheduling visitation, and requirements for reunification so that you may take your child home.
Safe Haven
Safe Haven is a national program that allows you to place your infant in the hands of a designated “safe haven” location without having to provide your name or sign any papers. State regulations vary in terms of the age of the infant and the time period to return and ask for custody. The infant must be in good physical condition. The baby will be cared for by the local Children’s Services department (foster care). You have a specified period of time to return and ask for custody of the infant. If you do not do so, the local court will terminate your parental rights and locate a permanent adoptive home for your baby.
Why is Private Adoption a Better Option than Foster Care?
Deciding to place your child for adoption is exactly that: it is a decision. A very profound decision. With private adoption it is your decision, not someone else’s decision, to make. With private adoption you are able to select your baby’s adoptive family. Although placing your baby for adoption is not what you envisioned, with private adoption you have the opportunity to make choices and decisions for yourself and your baby that may not be available to you if the adoptive family is selected through foster care.
What about the baby’s father? Does he need to know?
In some states the baby’s father has rights that need to be terminated before any adoption can be finalized, and under certain circumstances, this can be done without his consent. It’s important to work with an adoption professional familiar with Birth Fathers’ rights that can help to protect you, your baby, the adopting family and the birth father. At Adoption Network we have professionals dedicated to helping you find out this information so that you can make the best decision possible for you and your baby.
What if my family doesn’t want me to give up my baby?
While it is always easier to have a support system, this is completely your decision. Your adoption advisor can help you with this, or even speak to your family about your choice.
Can I get help with the hospital bills?
Yes. The adopting family can help with your pregnancy and medical expenses, and your adoption advisor can work with you and the hospital to determine if you are eligible for Medicaid or other insurance benefits.
What now?
Call us at Adoption Network to speak with someone who knows the ins and outs of last minute adoption as well as your other options. We can answer the questions that are specific to you and your situation, and help you figure out the best option for you and your baby, whether it’s adoption or something else. As you know, the most important part of this equation is your child and his or her well being. 1-800-367-2367
DOWNLOAD the full “Pregnancy & Adoption Planning Guide” here
American Adoptions - Place a Child for Adoption at Any Age [How Adoption Can Help You]
If you're considering placing your child for adoption, the age of your child will influence your adoption process. But, the ability to choose adoption may be an option for you. Call 1-800-ADOPTION now to learn more.
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Challenging circumstances in life and the age of your child don’t prohibit you from considering adoption.
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Adoption gives you the opportunity to find the perfect home for your child, as well as create a better future for you.
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A hopeful adoptive family is given the chance to live out their dream of growing a family.
Choosing adoption is not an exclusive right for certain types of mothers. Every adoption is unique, and all kinds of people choose adoption. If you’re trying to decide whether adoption might be an option for you, you may be wondering, can you put a child up for adoption at any age?
If you are considering adoption for an older child, you may be wondering if there is a maximum age to put a child up for adoption, or if there are age requirements for giving your child up for adoption.
These are common questions to ask, and it’s important to know that it is okay to consider adoption. Your ability to place an older child for adoption will come down to the specific details of your situation. In some situations, you can place older children for adoption. Other times, there may be an age limit to “give up” for adoption.
We’ll work through several scenarios and provide you with information to help you understand your options. Regardless of if you can give a child up for adoption at any age, there are professionals and services to support you. Many mothers have gone through something similar, and, like them, you can turn a difficult situation into one full of love and hope.
Please know that American Adoptions is unable to provide adoption services for children over 4 years old. If you are considering adoption for a child older than 4 years, we have created this guide to your options.
Continue reading for information on adoption and the age of your child.
If you’re ready to start the adoption process with our agency or want more information on adoption, call us at 1-800-ADOPTION, or visit our online contact forms for prospective birth mothers and prospective adoptive parents.
Can You “Give Your Child Up” for Adoption at Any Age?
Adoption can be a brave and selfless decision. As a mother, we know you want what is best for your child. Even though it’s common to hear the phrase “give a child up for adoption,” this decision is anything but giving up, no matter how old your child may be. You should always feel supported to make the best decision possible for your life, which is a choice only you are qualified to make.
When you are considering adoption, especially adoption with older children, the choices available to you will differ depending on age.
What Age Can You Put Your Child Up for Adoption?
There are always options for you when parenting seems impossible. To get a clearer picture of those options, we will break them down by your child’s age.
Adoption for Newborns to 6-Month‐Olds
While many women consider adoption early on in their pregnancy, it’s not uncommon for women to consider adoption for their babies right after they’re born or even up to six months later.
Typically, a 6‐month‐old adoption and a newborn adoption are very similar in terms of the steps you’ll need to take. This age group also represents the vast majority of placements we at American Adoptions handle every year, making it even easier to find the right resources and services you need to make an adoption plan.
At this age, there are still plenty of adoptive parents to choose from, and you are still eligible for many of the same services as a woman who chose adoption early on in her pregnancy. Whether your baby is days, weeks or even 6 months old, it’s never too late to place your child for adoption.
Many of our adoption professionals are adoptees, have adopted or have placed a child for adoption, giving us a unique perspective of the adoption process and how it can positively change the lives of everyone involved. It’s important that you have the same happy and hopeful adoption experience.
For more information on placing your newborn or younger child up for adoption or to start your adoption journey with American Adoptions, call us at 1-800-ADOPTION, or visit us online.
Adoption at Ages 6 Months to 4 Years
Placing older infants and toddlers for adoption, even after they have been home from the hospital for several months, or even a few years, is still an option. In these situations, there are many adoption professionals and hopeful adoptive parents who would be happy to help, including those at American Adoptions.
Our agency specializes in placing newborns and infants for adoption, but we have also assisted mothers placing toddlers and young children, up to preschool-age, on a case-by-case basis. However, even within this age range, there are differences that come with age.
One of the most notable differences between placing a newborn for adoption versus a toddler is the type of information your adoption specialist will need before you can proceed. If your child is 6 months old or older, this information will include:
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Your child’s birth certificate.
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The father listed on the birth certificate.
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Medical records for your child.
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Documentation of where the child has lived from birth to present.
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Who has had custody or care of the child from birth to present.
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Who has provided financial and emotional support for the child.
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Proof of child support from any father.
Along with these added pieces of information, there may be additional emotional considerations — both for you and your child — to take into account in this age range. A child develops more by age 4 than you may imagine. As a child reaches 2, 3 and 4 years old, they are forming attachments and patterns that can make adoption a more difficult transition.
Once your child approaches age 4, it may be harder to find an adoption agency equipped with the resources and services to complete a safe, reliable adoption for an older child. While there are adoption agencies, like American Adoptions, who may be able to assist with adoptions in this age range on a case‐by‐case basis, there are also resources that can help make parenting easier. It could be the case that, even though children meet the age requirements for giving your child up for adoption, parenting may still be the best option available.
Adoption at Ages 5 to 12 Years
At many adoption agencies, including American Adoptions, 4 years old is generally considered the maximum age to put a child up for adoption.
Instead, seeking out local resources that can ease the burden of parenting is usually the best option for children in this age range. Some resources to consider are:
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Special Needs Assistance
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Head Start
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Social Services
Hopefully, these services can make your situation better, especially if your child has passed the oldest age to “give a child up” for adoption with most adoption agencies.
Siblings Sets
A caveat to that maximum age to “give a child up” for adoption is the importance of maintaining sibling sets.
If you are wondering about the age limit to put a child up for adoption, but you plan on placing siblings for adoption, this can sometimes change the situation. Research has shown that it is good for siblings to stay together in adoption if at all possible.
When you contact an adoption professional about placing more than one child for adoption, you can stress how much it matters to you that the siblings stay together. American Adoptions will never split up siblings into different adoptive families when they are being placed together. Even in cases where the oldest child is slightly above our agency’s typical age limit to put a child up for adoption, we will do what we can to work with you in this situation if you are also placing a newborn or infant for adoption. There are many amazing, loving adoptive parents who would be willing to change their plans in order to keep siblings together.
On the other hand, if your child is much older than our agency’s typical adoption age limit, you may need to consider parenting both children or parenting your older child and placing your infant for adoption. In this case, your adoption specialist can provide the support you need to explain adoption to your older child, and you can ensure your children still maintain a strong relationship through open adoption.
Putting a Child Up for Adoption Age Limit
As you can see, there is no exact age limit to “give up” for adoption. However, as a child gets older, the options can become more limited.
Most private adoption agencies, including American Adoptions, simply don’t have the structure or resources to responsibly conduct an adoption process for older children. Since everyone involved wants what is best for you and for the child, sometimes it can be better to find parenting resources when wondering if you can “give a child up” for adoption at any age.
However, if you truly feel that placing your child for adoption is the best option in your situation, there are professionals that may be able to assist. This could be your state’s local social services, an adoption attorney, or even an organization that specializes in temporary guardianships. You should explore all of your options before going through with this life‐changing decision.
Resources When You Are Considering Adoption
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SNAP
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Medicaid
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WIC
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Mentorships
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Adolescent Health
These resources may not be able to remedy all of the difficulties in life, but they are a good place to start. Adoption could be the best option for you, or it could be the case that your children are past the oldest age to “give a child up” for adoption with most agencies.
No matter the circumstances, a compassionate adoption professional is always ready to listen. If you are considering adoption for an infant or toddler, you can talk to Michelle, a birth parent specialist and a birth parent herself, who is ready to answer any questions you have about adoption and age requirements.
“I am available to answer any questions that arise, particularly from birth moms, as I have been in your shoes and know how you are feeling,” Michelle said. “It was most helpful to me when I had someone to talk to who would just listen to me without making any judgments or conclusions about who I was as a person.”
You can ask Michelle questions about the adoption process online. You can also call us toll-free at 1-800-ADOPTION, or get free information with our online contact form for prospective birth mothers considering adoption here. Adoptive families wanting more information on adopting a child can click here to get more information.
Disclaimer
Information available through these links is the sole property of the companies and organizations listed therein. America Adoptions, Inc. provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.
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View Waiting Families
A resident of St.
Petersburg told why she is looking for parents to her child through social networks - Moscow 24, 10/19/202119 October 2021, 17:22
month old son. The post states that the child is "madly loved and desired." According to the mother, it is necessary to give the baby away because of the health problems that she has. We tell you whether this is legal and how the public reacted to an attempt to attach a child via the Internet. nine0007
"A very powerful child in terms of energy"
Photo: vk.com/vika_spb2015
On October 16, 33-year-old Victoria Fefelova posted an announcement in social networks about the search for new parents for her three-month-old son. "Baby Pasha (name changed. - Ed.) is looking for mom and dad. He is only three months old. An insanely beloved and desired child, but a single mom has health problems," the post says.
In the advertisement, the woman indicated that the boy was born in Ufa, he has non-critical health problems. She also gave a detailed genealogy of her son, noting that the parents are engaged in intellectual work. nine0007
Took attunements of Lilla Pearl and Kundalini Reiki in the womb. A very powerful child in terms of energy.
from Victoria Fefelova's message
"Dad is an entrepreneur with a technical mindset, mother is the author of the methodology for teaching mathematics, a poetess. There are many leaders and bosses in the family," Victoria wrote.
The woman's announcement shook social media, garnering more than 1,400 comments in three days. As a result, on October 19, it was removed. Meanwhile, the opinions of users were divided. nine0003
"How is that permissible?! Are you selling a puppy, or what? Mom, dad and all relatives are successful, intellectuals, but they sell a child like a dog!" – wrote one of the commentators. Another user stated: "What I just read is a nightmare. Like selling a puppy. What a mess."
However, there were those who stood up for Victoria. In their opinion, she comes from the best of intentions for her child.
A young mother is looking for foster parents for her child through social networks
"I was called to orderlies and hospitalized"
Viktoria Fefelova, in a conversation with Moscow 24, said that she was registered with a psychiatrist, and her son is now in a baby house. Due to a serious mental illness, she cannot pick up the child.
"We were in a children's hospital. The manager asked for a certificate from a psychiatrist stating that I could be in the same room with the child. I went to the psychiatrist, the orderlies called me and I was hospitalized. hospital. When she left, the child was already in the baby house, "the woman shared. nine0003
At the same time, she specified that she wanted a better fate for her son.
Over the past three days, 12 families have written to me, talked to many, some say that they have already begun to collect documents.
Victoria Fefelova
baby's mother
According to Victoria, in the future she wants to visit her baby in a foster family. “This is very important for me. This is my condition so that I can visit at least in the video call format,” the woman shared.
As soon as Victoria finds worthy parents, she intends to apply to the guardianship and guardianship authorities, so that they would allow her to transfer the baby to a family chosen by herself. nine0007
Can a mother find adoptive parents herself?
Photo: depositphotos/Veresovich
Lawyer Anton Zharov told Moscow 24 that a resident of St. Petersburg would not be able by law to give her child up for adoption into a family on her own.
The only legal way to adopt a child in Russia is through guardianship authorities and the court. There is no other way to adopt a child.
Anton Zharov
lawyer
The expert added that even if a woman finds some people, brings them to court and offers them as adoptive parents, she will be refused. "That's right, because such activity is indistinguishable from human trafficking. There are many mothers who are ready to give up their child for money," Zharov believes. nine0003
According to the lawyer, the case of posting a post about finding foster parents is rather ambiguous for legal qualifications. "It could be human trafficking or illegal adoption activities," he stressed.
In any case, a woman cannot give up a child for adoption on her own, Zharov concluded.
Nosatov Ivan
society regions children
I want to adopt a child. I was introduced to a woman who is ready to give me her child for adoption immediately after birth, she does not want to give him to an orphanage. Can you tell me how to legally transfer a child? . Adoption - we go to court ...
Home — How to adopt a child into a family? — We accept the chosen child into the family — Adoption — we apply to the court...
I want to adopt a child. I was introduced to a woman who is ready to give me her child for adoption immediately after birth, she does not want to give him to an orphanage.
Can you tell me how to legally transfer a child?« Back to the list of questions
For those cases when the candidates for adoptive parents and the expectant mother, even before the birth of the child, agreed on his transfer for adoption to a specific family, the family legislation of the Russian Federation provides for the so-called. “nominal” consent to adoption: “Parents may consent to the adoption of a child by a specific person ...” (paragraph 3 of article 129Family Code of the Russian Federation). Consent to adoption can only be given after the birth of the child.
How to practically use the right to transfer a child for adoption to specific persons in full compliance with the family law of the Russian Federation? I advise you to act according to the following scenario (I assume that the expectant mother is single, i.e. not married):
- 2-3 months before the expected date of birth, adoptive parents receive a conclusion on the possibility of being adoptive parents according to general rules (read more in the "I want to adopt a child" section on the right, Step 2). I do not advise you to get an opinion earlier, because. the medical certificate for adoptive parents is valid for 6 months, and it must be valid at the time of filing an adoption application with the court. At the same time, taking into account all the formalities below, the court will most likely take place 1-2 months after the birth of the child. nine0007
- After the birth of a child, the mother is discharged home with him, draws up a birth certificate. I do not advise signing consent to adoption immediately after childbirth (popularly known as “refusal”), since the widespread practice of the administration of maternity hospitals and guardianship and guardianship authorities is such that the child is immediately removed from the biological mother, and it can be extremely difficult to find out about his future fate. In my practice, there have been cases when, even with “nominal” consent to adoption given in the maternity hospital, the PLO insisted on transferring the child for adoption to the “general queue”, although the law does not support this practice. nine0002 Since we proceed from the fact that the biomother is not married, when registering a child’s birth certificate, I advise you to simply put a dash in the “father” column, and not indicate someone “according to the mother”. If the mother is married (it doesn’t matter if the husband is the real father of the child or not), then her spouse will be automatically entered as the father of the child, and then consent to the adoption will need to be obtained from him too.
- After the birth certificate is issued, the biomother and adoptive parents (who have already received a conclusion on the possibility of being adoptive parents) contact the BLO at the place of residence of the biomother to inform about the impending adoption. Unfortunately, as experience shows, PLOs often turn out to be morally unprepared for a “peaceful scenario” of the development of events, so it can be useful to offer PLO employees some kind of “legend” (for example, that the candidates are distant relatives of the biomother, but the biomother does not have the opportunity to raise a child, so the family agreed on such a decision). It removes too emotional reaction. nine0093
Why is it important to let the PLO know about plans to put a child up for adoption in advance? The fact is that candidates apply for adoption to the court at the location of the child on their own, but in the process of preparing the case for the hearing of the PLO at the location of the child, they must, for their part, prepare and submit the following additional documents to the adoption court (Art. 272 of the Code of Civil Procedure of the Russian Federation):
- conclusion on the validity of adoption (this document is prepared by the guardianship authorities independently),
- act of examination of the housing of adoptive parents (this document will be submitted to the guardianship authorities by candidates for adoptive parents),
- birth certificate of the child (this document will be submitted to the guardianship authorities by the biomother - see paragraph 2 above),
- medical report on the state of health, on the physical and mental development of the child (this document is very important, more about it below),
- consent of the biomother (and her spouse, if the biomother was married at the time of the birth of the child) for adoption. nine0093
Consent to the adoption must be expressed in the application of the biomother, certified either by a notary, or by the guardianship authorities at the place of residence of the biological mother, or by the guardianship authorities at the place of approval of the adoption. Also, consent can be expressed directly in court, although I advise you to attach it in writing even when applying for adoption.
Important! The text of the application should have indicated: "I give consent to the adoption of my child" - only such a document is consent to adoption. nine0003
Why can a medical certificate for an adopted child present a certain difficulty? The fact is that it must be drawn up in a strictly defined way (namely, in form No. 160u - and signed by a commission of doctors), therefore, guardianship authorities sometimes try to take the child “for quarantine” to the nearest hospital in order to slowly produce this paper by the hospital doctors .