Domestic Newborn Adoption

AF Photo Gallery

The annual number of infants adopted domestically (excluding foster and relative adoption) is estimated to be around 18,000 -- far greater than the annual number of international adoptions. Moreover, the process of adopting a newborn in the United States can go more swiftly than you may imagine. In a 2011 Adoptive Families survey, the majority of respondents were matched with a birthmother in less than three months, and 40% were matched less than one month before their child was born.

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 adoptivefamilies.com/adoption-resources.php. View family photos and get parent-to-parent advice in our online community, adoptivefamiliescircle.com.