Domestic Adoption in a Nutshell
Domestic adoption means adopting from within one’s own country, so for citizens of the US that means the
child is born and adopted inside the boundaries of the United States. This can be adoption of a newborn or
adoption of an older child. Generally speaking, the procedures will be quite different.
Adoption of a newborn usually involves working with a birth mother who is pregnant and making an adoption
plan for her child. Birth mothers have choices in how they want to proceed, whether to work with an agency
or perhaps an attorney, or sometimes even directly with the adoptive parents. Working with any agency
provides the most protection to adoptive parents, for several reasons. First, agencies are monitored by
state licensing departments; second, the level of experience of agencies greatly exceeds that of adoptive
parents acting on their own, and frequently exceeds attorneys who devote a small portion of their practice to
adoption.
Domestic adoption from a birth mother raises a couple of issues for adoptive parents:
1. Open versus Closed adoptions: When birth parents live in the same country and perhaps the same
state as adopting parents, issues of pictures, letters, personal meetings and phone calls can arise.
Adopting parents have to determine where their comfort level lies before accepting a match with a birth
mother so that the birth mother is not misled about the adopting parents’ feelings and intentions. The worst
possible mistake is making promises that are not kept. This leaves the birth mother feeling betrayed and
disappointed.
In recent years, there was a trend toward more open adoptions; Beacon House, for a variety of reasons, did
not subscribe to this trend, but instead chose a hybrid form of adoption, the “semi-open” process, where
families and birth parents could meet on a limited basis with no exchange of identifying information, and then
engage in correspondence via the agency after the placement. A number of agencies that previously
encouraged or even demanded open adoptions have now moved to the Beacon House format, and even
use the term “semi-open” adoption.
2. Cost. An important issue is the cost factor. State laws vary on adoption costs, and some states allow
certain expenses that other states do not. This can drastically affect the ultimate cost of the adoption.
Medical costs for the birth mother, if there is no insurance and no Medicaid availability, can be quite high.
Birth mothers frequently need assistance with residential expenses, and there are the agency, legal, and
social services expenses as well.
Agencies may structure their costs and expenses differently, so it is difficult sometimes to make
comparisons. It is helpful to view the chart provided in BHAS informational packet to make comparisons.
In general, the cost of domestic infant adoption can cover an extended range from $18,000.00 all the way to
$40,000.00 In assessing the cost, there are factors to consider: Many people feel it is worth the investment
in their futures to pay for the birth mother’s medical costs and provide her with living expenses during her
pregnancy. They believe that as long as they are
providing shelter and food for the birth mother, she is more likely to be eating healthy and therefore
providing better nutrition for the baby.
Providing pre-natal care to a birth mother assures that if there are any problems along the way, adopting
parents will be apprised of them rather than have an unpleasant surprise at delivery. This can also be done
if the birth mother is eligible for Medicaid in the state of delivery.
Many agencies do not provide supervision of the birth mothers; they provide the birth mother her expenses
and check with her by phone periodically. One of the many ways Beacon House is different is that each
birth mother is assigned a personal caretaker, who is responsible for ensuring follow through on physicians
appointments, counseling sessions, and personal contact with the BM on a weekly basis. This is an
expense that is included in the preliminary estimate provided to parents by Beacon House.
PROS AND CONS:
Some people prefer the idea of domestic adoption for a variety of reasons. Obviously, no international
travel is necessary. Many people believe that adopting parents should be providing homes for the child in
need in this country rather than going to other countries. As a general rule, medical information and history
will generally be more accessible in domestic adoptions. Finally, many people believe it is better that the
child have easier access to birth relatives in his/her adulthood. The risks inherent in this type of adoption lie
with the decisions of the birth parents, whether the birth father will consent or oppose the adoption and
whether the birth mother will change her mind after delivering the
child.
BEACON HOUSE PROGRAMS
Beacon House has many years of experience with the domestic adoptions of children of all ethnic
backgrounds. Requirements and procedures for all the programs are very similar. Placements are made
nationwide, and this agency has placed in a number of other countries.
Requirements for adopting families: Beacon House utilizes the most flexible criteria for approving
adoptive families, within the parameters of each state’s law. Beacon House is interested in making an
adoptive placement that fits your family and fits the birth mother’s wants and needs. Our criteria do not
exclude single parents or families with existing children. The main criteria for families are that they be able
and willing to provide a loving, nurturing environment for a child, and be the subjects of an approved home
study.
Open vs. Closed : The issue of open versus closed adoptions requires some understanding of the vast
spectrum of possibilities in this area. This agency does not promote either totally open or totally closed
adoptions. Instead, we provide extensive counseling with the parties to the adoptive process to determine
their expectations. Throughout the process, various options are discussed and considered to assure that
no person involved in a particular adoption feels compelled to enter into an arrangement that makes them
uncomfortable. It is, however, our policy that confidential information not be exchanged at any time during
the process. Those individuals for whom totally open adoption is a choice may enter into any arrangement
they wish at the conclusion of the adoption process.
Interstate Placements: Beacon House is very experienced in working with interstate placements. Any
time a child is moved across state lines for adoption, approval must be obtained from the Interstate Compact
on the Placement of Children, an office in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the US Virgin Islands.
Beacon House is well acquainted with the requirements of the I.C.P.C. and assures that necessary
documents are collected prior to the birth. This way, there is a smooth transition of the child from birth
mother to agency to adoptive parents. Beacon House does not place children in the state of New York.
Execution of Consents/ Surrenders: The consent that allows Beacon House to place a child with
approved adoptive parents is called different things in different states. Regardless of the terminology, it is
the timing of the consent/surrender and its revocability that are important. States may have differing
procedures and time frames, and depends on several factors including where the child is born and where
the biological parents reside. Adoptive parents will be apprised of the appropriate information when
considering a match with a birth mother.
Interim Care: In general, a birth mother and infant are discharged from the hospital on the second day
after birth. Beacon House utilizes temporary private care from hospital discharge until consent/surrender, at
which time adoptive parents are welcome to take physical custody of the infant. If the placement requires
Interstate Compact approval, there may be a period of time when the new family needs to remain in the state
where the child was born until ICPC approval can be obtained, usually not a long wait.
Beacon House understands that there are a number of agencies that encourage prospective adoptive
parents to be present at the delivery of the child. Here at Beacon House we believe that we have
obligations to all parties of the adoption triad in equal measure, and based on many years of experience, we
have found that it is more usual for a birth mother to need some time in the hospital to obtain closure for her
adoption plan. The presence of adoptive parents can disturb a delicate balance of emotions, so this
method is not part of our program.
Bonding: Bonding is a process that can begin at any time after a child is united with parent(s), and
continues throughout the years of the relationship. Early bonding is important, and can begin as soon as
the child is placed in the physical custody of the adopting parents. In Interstate placements, the waiting
period for ICPC approval provides the adopting parents with personal, special time with the newborn to
begin this process.
Waiting Time: The time frame from application completion, to match, is generally 3-6 months. Naturally,
this time can be extended by the requirements of the adoptive family, or the needs of the birth mother. The
more flexible you are and the more reasonable your budget, the more likely you are to be placed earlier.
This means that you can expect to be matched quickly with a birth mother.
Birth Mother location: Perhaps the single most difficult thing about adopting domestically today is the
location of a birth mother who is considering adoption. With the easy availability of birth control and now the
“morning after pill”, which can be obtained at local health clinics, the search for a birth mother who is
considering adoption is taking longer and is more expensive than ever. It is more important than ever that
agencies reach potential birth mothers on a large scale through advertising efforts in many geographic
areas.
Beacon House has an aggressive marketing strategy that directly targets birth mothers in a number of areas
that have continued to be successful; the agency funds the outreach to birth mothers through classified
advertisements, television and radio ads, outdoor advertising (billboards), Yellow page ads in 14-15 states,
and Internet presence.
Beacon House works with birth mothers in all states, but many choose to relocate to Louisiana, Mississippi,
or Florida and are therefore subject to the laws of the state where they relocate. In these states, birth
mothers may receive residential assistance, medical, legal, and travel expenses.
FURTHER INFORMATION, FEES COSTS AND EXPENSES ARE INCLUDED IN OUR INFORMATIONAL
PACKET - DOWNLOAD IT FREE!
CALL TODAY AND SPEAK TO OUR DOMESTIC ADOPTION COORDINATOR: MARGIE
Domestic adoption means adopting from within one’s own country, so for citizens of the US that means the
child is born and adopted inside the boundaries of the United States. This can be adoption of a newborn or
adoption of an older child. Generally speaking, the procedures will be quite different.
Adoption of a newborn usually involves working with a birth mother who is pregnant and making an adoption
plan for her child. Birth mothers have choices in how they want to proceed, whether to work with an agency
or perhaps an attorney, or sometimes even directly with the adoptive parents. Working with any agency
provides the most protection to adoptive parents, for several reasons. First, agencies are monitored by
state licensing departments; second, the level of experience of agencies greatly exceeds that of adoptive
parents acting on their own, and frequently exceeds attorneys who devote a small portion of their practice to
adoption.
Domestic adoption from a birth mother raises a couple of issues for adoptive parents:
1. Open versus Closed adoptions: When birth parents live in the same country and perhaps the same
state as adopting parents, issues of pictures, letters, personal meetings and phone calls can arise.
Adopting parents have to determine where their comfort level lies before accepting a match with a birth
mother so that the birth mother is not misled about the adopting parents’ feelings and intentions. The worst
possible mistake is making promises that are not kept. This leaves the birth mother feeling betrayed and
disappointed.
In recent years, there was a trend toward more open adoptions; Beacon House, for a variety of reasons, did
not subscribe to this trend, but instead chose a hybrid form of adoption, the “semi-open” process, where
families and birth parents could meet on a limited basis with no exchange of identifying information, and then
engage in correspondence via the agency after the placement. A number of agencies that previously
encouraged or even demanded open adoptions have now moved to the Beacon House format, and even
use the term “semi-open” adoption.
2. Cost. An important issue is the cost factor. State laws vary on adoption costs, and some states allow
certain expenses that other states do not. This can drastically affect the ultimate cost of the adoption.
Medical costs for the birth mother, if there is no insurance and no Medicaid availability, can be quite high.
Birth mothers frequently need assistance with residential expenses, and there are the agency, legal, and
social services expenses as well.
Agencies may structure their costs and expenses differently, so it is difficult sometimes to make
comparisons. It is helpful to view the chart provided in BHAS informational packet to make comparisons.
In general, the cost of domestic infant adoption can cover an extended range from $18,000.00 all the way to
$40,000.00 In assessing the cost, there are factors to consider: Many people feel it is worth the investment
in their futures to pay for the birth mother’s medical costs and provide her with living expenses during her
pregnancy. They believe that as long as they are
providing shelter and food for the birth mother, she is more likely to be eating healthy and therefore
providing better nutrition for the baby.
Providing pre-natal care to a birth mother assures that if there are any problems along the way, adopting
parents will be apprised of them rather than have an unpleasant surprise at delivery. This can also be done
if the birth mother is eligible for Medicaid in the state of delivery.
Many agencies do not provide supervision of the birth mothers; they provide the birth mother her expenses
and check with her by phone periodically. One of the many ways Beacon House is different is that each
birth mother is assigned a personal caretaker, who is responsible for ensuring follow through on physicians
appointments, counseling sessions, and personal contact with the BM on a weekly basis. This is an
expense that is included in the preliminary estimate provided to parents by Beacon House.
PROS AND CONS:
Some people prefer the idea of domestic adoption for a variety of reasons. Obviously, no international
travel is necessary. Many people believe that adopting parents should be providing homes for the child in
need in this country rather than going to other countries. As a general rule, medical information and history
will generally be more accessible in domestic adoptions. Finally, many people believe it is better that the
child have easier access to birth relatives in his/her adulthood. The risks inherent in this type of adoption lie
with the decisions of the birth parents, whether the birth father will consent or oppose the adoption and
whether the birth mother will change her mind after delivering the
child.
BEACON HOUSE PROGRAMS
Beacon House has many years of experience with the domestic adoptions of children of all ethnic
backgrounds. Requirements and procedures for all the programs are very similar. Placements are made
nationwide, and this agency has placed in a number of other countries.
Requirements for adopting families: Beacon House utilizes the most flexible criteria for approving
adoptive families, within the parameters of each state’s law. Beacon House is interested in making an
adoptive placement that fits your family and fits the birth mother’s wants and needs. Our criteria do not
exclude single parents or families with existing children. The main criteria for families are that they be able
and willing to provide a loving, nurturing environment for a child, and be the subjects of an approved home
study.
Open vs. Closed : The issue of open versus closed adoptions requires some understanding of the vast
spectrum of possibilities in this area. This agency does not promote either totally open or totally closed
adoptions. Instead, we provide extensive counseling with the parties to the adoptive process to determine
their expectations. Throughout the process, various options are discussed and considered to assure that
no person involved in a particular adoption feels compelled to enter into an arrangement that makes them
uncomfortable. It is, however, our policy that confidential information not be exchanged at any time during
the process. Those individuals for whom totally open adoption is a choice may enter into any arrangement
they wish at the conclusion of the adoption process.
Interstate Placements: Beacon House is very experienced in working with interstate placements. Any
time a child is moved across state lines for adoption, approval must be obtained from the Interstate Compact
on the Placement of Children, an office in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the US Virgin Islands.
Beacon House is well acquainted with the requirements of the I.C.P.C. and assures that necessary
documents are collected prior to the birth. This way, there is a smooth transition of the child from birth
mother to agency to adoptive parents. Beacon House does not place children in the state of New York.
Execution of Consents/ Surrenders: The consent that allows Beacon House to place a child with
approved adoptive parents is called different things in different states. Regardless of the terminology, it is
the timing of the consent/surrender and its revocability that are important. States may have differing
procedures and time frames, and depends on several factors including where the child is born and where
the biological parents reside. Adoptive parents will be apprised of the appropriate information when
considering a match with a birth mother.
Interim Care: In general, a birth mother and infant are discharged from the hospital on the second day
after birth. Beacon House utilizes temporary private care from hospital discharge until consent/surrender, at
which time adoptive parents are welcome to take physical custody of the infant. If the placement requires
Interstate Compact approval, there may be a period of time when the new family needs to remain in the state
where the child was born until ICPC approval can be obtained, usually not a long wait.
Beacon House understands that there are a number of agencies that encourage prospective adoptive
parents to be present at the delivery of the child. Here at Beacon House we believe that we have
obligations to all parties of the adoption triad in equal measure, and based on many years of experience, we
have found that it is more usual for a birth mother to need some time in the hospital to obtain closure for her
adoption plan. The presence of adoptive parents can disturb a delicate balance of emotions, so this
method is not part of our program.
Bonding: Bonding is a process that can begin at any time after a child is united with parent(s), and
continues throughout the years of the relationship. Early bonding is important, and can begin as soon as
the child is placed in the physical custody of the adopting parents. In Interstate placements, the waiting
period for ICPC approval provides the adopting parents with personal, special time with the newborn to
begin this process.
Waiting Time: The time frame from application completion, to match, is generally 3-6 months. Naturally,
this time can be extended by the requirements of the adoptive family, or the needs of the birth mother. The
more flexible you are and the more reasonable your budget, the more likely you are to be placed earlier.
This means that you can expect to be matched quickly with a birth mother.
Birth Mother location: Perhaps the single most difficult thing about adopting domestically today is the
location of a birth mother who is considering adoption. With the easy availability of birth control and now the
“morning after pill”, which can be obtained at local health clinics, the search for a birth mother who is
considering adoption is taking longer and is more expensive than ever. It is more important than ever that
agencies reach potential birth mothers on a large scale through advertising efforts in many geographic
areas.
Beacon House has an aggressive marketing strategy that directly targets birth mothers in a number of areas
that have continued to be successful; the agency funds the outreach to birth mothers through classified
advertisements, television and radio ads, outdoor advertising (billboards), Yellow page ads in 14-15 states,
and Internet presence.
Beacon House works with birth mothers in all states, but many choose to relocate to Louisiana, Mississippi,
or Florida and are therefore subject to the laws of the state where they relocate. In these states, birth
mothers may receive residential assistance, medical, legal, and travel expenses.
FURTHER INFORMATION, FEES COSTS AND EXPENSES ARE INCLUDED IN OUR INFORMATIONAL
PACKET - DOWNLOAD IT FREE!
CALL TODAY AND SPEAK TO OUR DOMESTIC ADOPTION COORDINATOR: MARGIE
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