Domestic Newborn Adoption

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Despite myths to the contrary, domestic newborn adoption remains alive and well. Current estimates of the annual number of infants adopted domestically (excluding foster and relative adoption) range from 25,000 to 30,000—more than all international adoptions combined. Moreover, the process can go much more swiftly that you might imagine. In a 2010 Adoptive Families survey, the majority of respondents were matched with a birthmother in less than 24 months, and 15% got “the call” to travel after the baby had been born, without a prematch.

In the majority of U.S. newborn adoptions, adoptive parents are selected by the birthparents of the child, and in at least half of the cases, the birthparents and adoptive parents meet. Domestic adopters usually appreciate the opportunity to build a relationship with their child’s birth family. Ongoing contact is increasingly common, but varies significantly in frequency. Domestic adopters must work with an agency to complete a homestudy, but may choose to work with an attorney for the majority of the process, depending on state laws.

Depending on the situation, and the laws of the state where the family lives and where the baby is born, prospective adoptive parents may cover some of the living and medical expenses of the birthmother. For up-to-date state adoption laws in the U.S., see theadoptionguide.com/files/
StateAdoptionLaws.pdf. View family photos and get parent-to-parent advice in our online community, www.adoptivefamiliescircle.com.