The Adoption Process for Indiana in 5 Steps

Growing your family through the adoption process can be one of the most beautiful and rewarding experiences of your life, because your child will grow up knowing their parents chose to be with them.

The steps in adoption process can feel overwhelming and confusing at times, but we’re here to help. You deserve a smooth, stress-free action plan to grow your family, and with our experienced staff and agency support, that’s exactly what you’ll get.

Keep reading as we break down the step by step adoption process in Indiana.

5 Steps to Adoption in Indiana

Deciding to adopt is a big step, but only the first in a long journey. Don’t worry; we’ll be here with you every step of the way.

In these next 5 steps, we’ll outline the process of going from choosing a source of professional adoption support all the way adoption finalization and post-adoption support. Let’s get started.

Step 1: Choose an Expert in the Adoption Process

Many prospective parents struggle with learning how to adopt – working with an adoption agency takes guesswork out of the equation. You deserve to start the process of adoption in a positive way, surrounded by honest, hard-working professionals.

Working with a licensed agency will help you through the steps to adoption, and protect you from those trying to exploit hopeful would-be parents for profit.

American Adoptions of Indiana offers support at every step of the process of adopting a baby, including a one-of-a-kind adoption risk fund, so your adoption budget is protected.

By choosing American Adoptions of Indiana, you protect your family both from bad actors and from unfortunate circumstances. Our local Indiana staff will walk you through your adoption application.

Step 2:  Become an Active Family Seeking Adoption

Once you’ve contacted American Adoptions of Indiana, the next step is to create your profile. Your profile is a space for you to layout your hopes and dreams for your future with your adoptive child.

Many profiles include photos, interests and hobbies, professional pursuits, personal values and messages to women considering placing their children for adoption. No one will judge you poorly for what you put in your profile; this is a space to be your authentic self.

Step 3: Be Selected for Adoption Placement by a Prospective Birth Mother

Once your profile is complete, we’ll begin showing it to the perspective birth mothers we work with. Every birth mother decides how to place their child based on different, often very personal criteria. When a birth mother selects you, we will facilitate the connection.

Many birth mothers take the opportunity to get to know intended parents like you before the birth and adoption finalization through conference calls and in-person meetings. This is often a very reassuring, cathartic experience for the birth parent, and it can be an emotionally rewarding experience for you as well.

Step 4: Your Adoptive Child’s Birth and Adoption Finalization

One of the last steps of the adoption process is the birth of the child and finalization of the legal adoption. In most cases, perspective families will be welcomed to the hospital during the birth mother’s labor.

Some birth mothers even allow the adoptive family in the delivery room to help welcome your child into the world. Adoption specialists will be by your side through the entire process, ready to help you however possible.

In Indiana, a child can be released for adoption as soon as delivery is complete. As soon as the birth parents complete the paperwork and the doctors make sure the baby is healthy, you’ll be able to take your child home.

Just one more step: your finalization hearing. The hearing wraps up the legal process, reaffirming with the state and federal government your legal rights and responsibilities regarding your new child.

You can learn more about this step in the Indiana adoption process in this guide.

Step 5: Enjoying the Post-Adoption Process with Your Newly Expanded Family

Your post-adoption life will depend on the kind of adoption you’ve chosen. With open adoptions, your child’s birth parents may continue to play a role in their life and yours. With semi-open and traditional closed adoptions, the presence may not be felt as much. For the most part, your family will be just like any other.

Just because your legal adoption has come to its conclusion doesn’t mean your adoption story is finished, or that our organization isn’t interested in helping your family. Being a parent brings its own set of challenges, and we are here to help support you in the years to come.

How Much Does it Cost to Adopt a Child in Indiana?

Private domestic adoption can cost between $20,000 and $60,000, but that cost is highly variable. When estimating adoption costs, you have to consider several factors, like preliminary costs, agency fees, health care expenses, legal fees, lost wages and post-placement expenses. Some of these may not apply in your specific situation.

• Cost for Prerequisites: Indiana does not cover the cost of Home Studies for adoptions. There may also be costs associated with childproofing your home prior to the study.

• Agency Fees: American adoption charges a flat fee, so you know there’s no artificial inflation, and provides a transparent breakdown of where your money goes. We also offer financial protection, so you can recover your entire agency fee in the event of an adoption disruption.

• Healthcare: Once you’ve connected with a prospective birth mother, you can begin helping support her during her pregnancy. Doing so assures the best possible start to your future child’s life. Depending on the birth mother, medical expenses can vary greatly.

• Legal Fees: Every adoption must go through an adoption finalization hearing, which all but requires adoption attorneys. Some agencies, like American Adoptions, retain adoption attorneys, saving you a large expenditure.

• Lost Wages: If your job doesn’t give maternity/paternity leave, or if that leave doesn’t extend to cover adoptive placement, lost wages can become a major consideration in your budget.

• Post-Placement Expenses: Raising a child is very expensive. Remember to budget for things like car seats, cribs, diapers, and food.

This may seem like a daunting list, but try not to worry. Adoptive families have a variety of options around fundraising, including applying for grants. Learn more about your options for affording adoption.

How Long Does the Adoption Process Take in Indiana?

Wait times vary based on your choice of adoption professionals, and the type of adoption you’re pursuing. We estimate a 12-month wait on average. The wait time may increase or decrease based on the level of flexibility in your adoption plan.

Providing you a clear path to building your family is a priority to us; that means shorter wait times, along with other benefits. Our strategy to keep wait times low revolves around marketing. We spend more on marketing than any other domestic adoption agency, and publishing free guides like this one is a cornerstone of our business model. You can read more about our wait time management strategy here. 

Types of Adoption

When preparing to grow your family through adoption, it’s important to consider which method of adoption is right for you and your family.

• Private Adoption cost more, but provides greater control, certainty, and support than other methods of adoption. A private adoption is the most stable, predictable way to grow your family through adoption.

• Foster Care comes with fewer expenses up front, but necessitates sacrificing control and certainty. Wait times for foster care adoption can run as high as five years, and you may experience a high rate of adoption disruption.

• International Adoption costs are extremely variable, and carry a high level of uncertainty. There also may be ethical concerns around certain international adoption scenarios. Using a reputable agency is highly recommended to avoid being targeted by scammers and extortionists.

What are the Adoption Requirements in Indiana?

Each state has different laws around adoption. To adopt a child in Indiana, there are a few things you should know:

• You can adopt no matter your relationship status. In Indiana, people in all types of relationship or no relationship at all can adopt.

• You’ll need to be a resident of the state. If you haven’t placed residency in Indiana, you’ll need to file for adoption through your state of residence. This is usually the state that issued your driver’s license.

• You need to get your adoption license. To get licensed for adoption in Indiana, you’ll need 16 hours of training, Child Protective Services and criminal background checks and a home study.

We also have a comprehensive guide to walk you through the process. Before you get too far into the process, you should know that there are  a few situations that disqualify you from adoption in Indiana:

• Any child safety-related misdemeanor.

• Any felony conviction in your background.

• Four or more misdemeanor convictions.

• Juvenile offenses that would have been felonies.

Adoption Agencies in Indiana: How We Can Help

Working with licensed adoption agencies brings prospective parents like you many benefits, because of the experience and specialized knowledge our organization can provide.

Some of the advantages we can provide your growing family includes more predictable wait times, a team of experienced professionals and financial protection from disruptions in the adoption process. Let’s break these benefits down:

You don’t have to wait much longer to start your family. Fill out our contact form and talk with our adoption specialists to see how American Adoptions of Indiana can benefit you.

Disclaimer
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