Applicants Must

  • Have a genuine and mutual desire to love and parent children.

  • Desire to work with the agency and the birthparents on an adoption plan for an unborn infant of either sex (we may or may not know the sex of the child prior to birth and do not make placements based on the child’s gender).

  • The minimum age to adopt is 25 and the maximum age is 50.

  • We are not able to work with engaged couples.

  • If married, be married for three years. Any previous marriages will be discussed at length.

  • Family Adoption Services gives preference to couples who are unable to have children, however each family is evaluated on an individual basis.

  • Obtain a favorable home study from the agency.

  • Be in good physical and emotional health, verified by a physician.

  • Reside in a home which has adequate space to provide good living conditions.

  • Have sufficient income to meet the needs of the family, evidenced by financial statements and tax returns.

  • You must be able to prove three years of steady employment.

  • We are note able to work with someone who is on SSA disability or SSI

  • Have six character references, two of whom must be family.

  • Be interviewed by an agency social worker and executive director. Any minor children from a previous marriage must also be interviewed, regardless of their place of residence.

  • Obtain current clearance through the State Central Registry on Child Abuse/Neglect and ABI/FBI.

  • Have adequate health insurance coverage that allows for the addition of an adopted child immediately following placement.

  • Successfully complete infant CPR and parenting classes.

  • Have the ability to be flexible in working with birthparents in the type of adoption requested. Each birthparent situation is unique and requires a great deal of patience, understanding, and flexibility. Additionally, you must observe and follow through with any agreed-upon contact following the birth of the child.

  • Applicants may have adopted or natural born children, but applicants are not encouraged to make application until the youngest child is two years old, unless the applicants have identified a birthmother.

**No applicant may be a convicted felon.