How Adoption Works
Adoption is a deeply personal journey, and every situation is different. At Open Arms Adoption Co., we help expectant parents and prospective adoptive families understand their options and navigate the steps involved in domestic newborn adoption.
From applications and paperwork to matching, placement, and post-placement support, our team helps coordinate the process with care.
Two Paths Through One Caring Process
Open Arms works with both expectant parents considering adoption and families hoping to adopt a newborn.
While their journeys are different, both are supported by communication, careful planning, professional guidance, and respect for the decisions involved.
Choose the Path That Fits Your Situation
You do not need to know everything before contacting us. Our first conversation is an opportunity to ask questions and understand what comes next.
I'm Pregnant & Considering Adoption
If you are pregnant and considering adoption, you can contact Open Arms at no cost to you. We can help you understand your options, discuss adoption plans, and provide support throughout your pregnancy and beyond.
You remain at the center of your adoption plan, including decisions about the type of adoption, communication, and the family you may choose.
Learn MoreI Want to Adopt a Newborn
If you are hoping to adopt a newborn, your journey begins with an application. Our team then guides you through the application, home study, family profile, active agency program, matching, placement, and post-placement process.
We explain the major steps and costs so you can move forward with a clearer understanding of the process.
Learn MoreWhat the Adoption Process Can Look Like
Every adoption plan is unique. These are the general steps Open Arms may help you navigate when you are considering adoption during pregnancy.
Reach Out
Contact Open Arms and tell us what you are comfortable sharing. You can ask questions without having everything decided.
Confidential Consultation
A member of our team talks with you about your situation, your options, and the type of support you may need.
Meet With Your Caseworker
Your caseworker helps you understand the adoption process and provides ongoing support as you make decisions.
Create Your Adoption Plan
You can discuss your preferences regarding communication, the adoptive family, hospital planning, birth planning, and other aspects of your adoption experience.
Review Appropriate Family Profiles
When appropriate, your caseworker can help you review prospective adoptive family profiles that may fit the preferences you have expressed.
Potential Match & Communication
If you choose to move forward with a family, Open Arms helps coordinate communication and planning between the people involved.
Birth & Hospital Planning
Your caseworker can help you prepare a birth and hospital plan based on your wishes and the requirements of the professionals involved.
Legal Consent & Placement
The legal consent and placement process is handled according to applicable law and the circumstances of the adoption. Your team helps coordinate the necessary professionals and next steps.
Post-Placement Support
Open Arms continues to provide appropriate support and coordination after placement, including assistance with post-placement requirements.
Your Path Toward Adopting a Newborn
Families hoping to adopt begin with an application and move through several important preparation and approval steps before they can be considered for adoption opportunities.
Application
Begin with the initial online application. The application fee is $500, with 85% refundable ($425) and $75 non-refundable, subject to applicable terms.
Consultation & Client File
Our team contacts you after receiving your application. If you proceed, we open your client file, assign a caseworker, and provide access to the appropriate private client portal and document requirements.
Home Study & Background Checks
The home-study process includes required documentation, background checks, interviews, and a home safety walkthrough with your assigned social worker. The listed fee is $1,000.
Approval & Family Profile
After your home study is approved, you prepare your family profile so expectant parents and adoption professionals can learn more about your family.
Active Agency Program
Your family enters the active agency program after approval. The agency program fee is $5,000, divided into two payments: 50% when the home study is approved and 50% when an adoption opportunity results in a match or placement.
Adoption Opportunity & Matching
An opportunity may involve an already-born newborn who is legally eligible for adoption or an expectant mother considering adoption during pregnancy.
Placement
When the necessary requirements are satisfied, professionals involved in the adoption coordinate the transition of the child into the adoptive family's care.
Post-Placement & Finalization
After placement, required supervision and legal work continue. The approximate listed cost for this stage is $3,000 and is separate from the $5,000 agency program fee.
Open, Semi-Open & Closed Adoption
Adoption communication can look different from one situation to another. The appropriate arrangement depends on the wishes of the birth parent, the adoptive family, and applicable requirements.
Open Adoption
An open adoption may involve ongoing communication or contact between the birth parent and adoptive family, according to the plan established for the adoption.
Semi-Open Adoption
A semi-open arrangement may allow communication or updates while maintaining appropriate boundaries and privacy.
Closed Adoption
A closed adoption generally involves limited or no direct communication between the birth parent and adoptive family after placement, as permitted and appropriate.
Every Adoption Opportunity Is Different
There is no single timeline or experience that applies to every adoption. An opportunity may develop before birth or after a newborn has already been born.
Open Arms helps coordinate the appropriate professionals and communication based on the circumstances of each adoption.
- Expectant mother considering adoption during pregnancy
- Potential match before birth
- Newborn already born and legally eligible for adoption
- Family profile review and communication
- Birth and hospital planning when appropriate
- Placement coordination
- Post-placement supervision and legal finalization
Several Professionals May Be Involved
Adoption is a coordinated process. Depending on the circumstances, Open Arms may work alongside other licensed or authorized professionals and organizations.
Open Arms Adoption Co.
Our team provides case management, adoption guidance, communication coordination, matching support, administrative assistance, and ongoing support throughout the agency process.
Social Workers
Social workers may be involved in counseling, home studies, required interviews, home visits, post-placement supervision, and other professional services.
Adoption Attorneys
Attorneys handle the legal aspects of an adoption, including required court filings, legal representation, and finalization.
Hospitals & Other Professionals
Depending on the situation, hospitals, medical professionals, other adoption agencies, courts, and authorized professionals may participate in the process.
We Help Bring the Pieces Together
Adoption can involve many conversations, documents, deadlines, and professionals. Our role is to help families understand the process and coordinate the agency side of the journey.
Guidance
We explain the next steps and help you understand what is expected throughout the adoption process.
Communication
We help coordinate communication between the people and professionals involved in an adoption opportunity.
Organization
We help keep the agency process organized through your caseworker, client portal, documentation, and required steps.
Ongoing Support
We remain available throughout the appropriate stages of the agency process rather than leaving families to navigate everything alone.
Understanding adoption costs: Our listed base costs are designed to give prospective adoptive families a clearer picture of the major stages of the process. The base listed total is approximately $9,500, including the $500 application, $1,000 home study, $5,000 agency program fee, and approximately $3,000 for post-placement and legal finalization. Certain legal, court, interstate, professional, or case-specific expenses may vary.
We're Here to Help You Understand What Comes Next
Whether you are pregnant and considering adoption or hoping to adopt a newborn, you can begin by reaching out to Open Arms. We will listen, answer your questions, and help you understand the next step.
Start an Application Contact Open Arms