Adoption FAQ

There are no restrictions due to religious beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status or age. Every family’s ability to parent a child through adoption is evaluated individually.

Families don’t need to own their home or meet a set income requirement but must show they are able to cover the costs of an adoption and raising a child. We can help families with limited means find sources of loans and grants for adoption.

Just as you will tell us about the child you wish to adopt, birth parents tell us what qualities they want in a family for their child. She is then presented with profile books and letters from several families that meet her requests and who would like to be matched with her. She then selects from those families. Occasionally, birth mothers ask us to select the adoptive family, and this is done in chronological order and based on social/medical situations.

We work directly with birthmothers from all over Massachusetts. This means we provide all counseling and services to these women. If a birth mother contacts us from another state we will find counseling resources that are in her state and can provide the help she needs. Women typically connect with us through Internet searches, hospital social workers, doctors, problem pregnancy centers and word of mouth.

The costs of adoption are wide-ranging. Nationwide, the costs range from $30,000 to as high as $50,000 or more even. Most agencies charge fees as you move through the process. These fees are often at risk, in the event a birth mother does not place her child. Adoption Resources has a flat fee that isn’t paid until you bring your child home. We assume the financial risk for work done with all birth parents regardless of their final decision regarding adoption.

In most situations, you will receive a family and medical history compiled by the birth mother, and sometimes the birth father. Where possible, we also obtain medical records from the OB/GYN and the hospital. We will also write a short summary profile based on information from the file and counseling sessions. You are entitled to all information that the agency has except identifying information about the birth parents. (last names, SS# and address) In an open adoption these things might be shared after matching has happened.

Your “Dear Birth Parent” letter and family profile should include information you want your birth mother to know about you. The birth parents may also ask additional questions which will be answered with your approval.

Most birth parents do want to meet you and we will facilitate a meeting. Most often the agency social worker who is counseling the birth parents will arrange the meeting. The social worker will be present at the meetings.

Whatever is agreed upon by you and the birth parent(s). It is common for birth parents to want to speak to the prospective adoptive parents on the phone and/or meet after you are matched. You don’t have to do this alone. A social worker will join you. Sometimes this face-to-face contact is limited to pre-birth and the hospital period. On-going contact after adoption through pictures and letters is required for 18 years confidentially through the agency. This would be a semi-open adoption. In fully Open Adoption most families agree to meetings after placement and often email or text each other directly.

Pursuant to Massachusetts law, a birth parent may sign an irrevocable surrender of their parental rights no sooner than 4 days after the child’s birth. The consent for adoption is permanent and irrevocable upon signing and only can be overturned based on fraud or duress.