Adoptive Family FAQs

Are adoptive families evaluated or assessed before being chosen?

All adoptive families are required to obtain what is referred to as a homestudy by a state licensed agency prior to approval for adoption. The homestudy is a series of background checks, home visits, assessments and other investigative procedures that prove a family is stable, healthy, of strong moral character and can provide a secure home and future for a child.

Can single parents adopt?

Yes, single parents can legally adopt, and for some children a strong single parent may even be of particular benefit.

Do I have to be rich to adopt?

No, we all know that families do not have to be 'rich' in order to raise happy healthy children. Furthermore, a family with a modest income who manages money well often has a stronger financial outlook than a family earning a higher income with debt beyond their means. The key is financial stability, not financial wealth.

How long does it take to adopt?

Every adoption is unique and because of the many variables involved, it is impossible to ensure a specific length of time from homestudy to placement. However, the average time that our Adoption Connection, PA families wait is generally about 18 months to two years. Sometimes it may take a bit longer; other times it might happen more quickly, and there really is no way to be precise.

Am I too old to adopt?

Families who come to us have often experienced years of trying to conceive, followed by years of infertility counseling and treatment. Many of our parents are into their forties and even fifties when they come to us for adoption services. Even youthful senior citizens can make great parents to older waiting children!

Don't birth mothers sometimes change their minds?

Sometimes, even after an adoption plan has been developed, a birth parent may decide to parent their child rather than place for adoption. While this can be heartbreaking to an expectant adoptive couple, it doesn't mean their adoption journey is over. Additionally, most birth mothers change their minds before the child is born, or right after birth while still in the hospital. Less than one percent of birth mothers change their minds once the baby has gone home with an adoptive family.

Can the birth family come back and take the baby away?

The law varies in each state, but in Pennsylvania a birth mother signs a form called 'Consent to Adopt' to give her permission for the adoption 72 hours after she gives birth (a birth father can sign consent at any time during the pregnancy). A court proceeding called a 'Termination of Parental Rights' (TPR) hearing occurs 30 days after the Consent to Adopt is signed. Once that termination hearing takes place, any and all rights to that child are officially and permanently terminated.

Do birth fathers have rights?

Birth fathers have the same rights as birth mothers; he can even choose to raise the child on his own if he desires to do so. The law says that birth fathers must be notified of a pending adoption, even if his location is unknown. There are stringent legal guidelines in Pennsylvania that must be adhered to with regard to such notification to be sure that his rights are not violated.

Are there really children available?

There are lots of children available for adoption today - in fact there are over 1,500 waiting children in Pennsylvania alone. Statistics show that 100,000 children are adopted each year in this country - and at least 20,000 of them are infants!

How are birth parents and adoptive parents matched?

Every adoption is different, but today, many adoptive families and birth families work together for a successful adoptive match. An agency such as Adoption Connection, PA can provide the services and advocacy needed as families travel through their own unique adoption journeys.