1.  What are the initials steps to move forward with a private adoption?

 Begin your journey with lots of research.  Read as much as you can about adoption and talk with everyone you know who has adopted.  Once you feel you are ready to move forward and have decided if you want to work with an agency or attorney, then the first step is to obtain a home study.  Contact a licensed adoption agency in your home state to get started.  Once your home study is complete and you have been approved, you are ready to accept placement of a child into your home.  At this point, you should have identified an adoption resource you would like to work with to assist you through the placement process.

       2.  How do I choose an adoption professional?

It is important to find an adoption professional that is knowledgeable, experienced, ethical and responsive to your needs.  Finding other adoptive parents that have used this professional is the best recommendation you can find, since they have personal experience over time of how the professional operates.  Make sure the professional works in a way that is comfortable to you.  If you are someone that needs lots of hand holding through this process, maybe a very large agency that handles hundreds of adoptions a year is not the right fit for you even if they place very quickly.  You may want to look for a smaller agency that can give you more personal attention and walk you through the process with lots of support.

       3.  Why would I choose Georgia Adoption Specialists?

The Executive Director of Georgia Adoption Specialists has worked her entire 28-year career in private adoption helping birth mothers make informed decisions and adoptive families grow their family through the miracle of adoption.  She formed Georgia Adoption Specialists in 2014.  Adoption is her passion.  She is an adoptive parent of two children who were placed as infants and are now 19 and 16.  Therefore, she has gone through two home studies and two agency adoptions herself and understands from an adoptive parent perspective how stressful and overwhelming the process can be.  She has worked with thousands of birth mothers and adoptive parents over her career and ensures adoptions are handled in a legal and ethical manner.  She strives to have a great working relationship with all her clients.

       4. What is a home study? What type of information is included in it?

 Georgia regulations require that the agency prepare a written evaluation on each prospective adoptive family prior to the placement of a child in the home.  The home study consists of three visits on separate days, one of which will be in your home.  All family members must be present at the home visit. You will be interviewed separately and jointly, if you are a couple.

The home study will address the following information:

• Identifying information such as names, home address, and home and business telephone numbers;
• Motivation to adopt and the family members’ attitudes toward childlessness;
• Description of and background information for each family member;
• Evaluation of marriage and family life;
• Evaluation of parenting practices, including discipline practices;
• Evaluation of physical and mental health;
• Evaluation of the understanding of and adjustment to adoptive parenting;
• Evaluation of your finances and occupation;
• A description of the home and community;
• Results of the criminal record checks;
• A minimum of three character references; and
• Description of the child you wish to adopt;

Home studies must be kept current. In some instances, such as when a child has not been placed with you within one year of the date of home study approval by the agency, an update to the study must be completed. When a significant change has occurred to a family after completion of a home study, such as when a family is seeking to adopt again after an initial placement has been made with that family by the agency, a subsequent home study can be completed that does not require all of the issues to be discussed.  The agency must make a decision whether to approve you as a prospective adoptive parent within sixty days of the last home study visit or the agency must document the reason for any delay. The Agency must notify applicants in writing within ten working days after the agency makes the decision on whether to approve a family of its decision.

       5.  How are parental rights terminated in Georgia?

The agency has the responsibility of ensuring that the parental rights of the birth mother, biological father, and legal father, if any, to the child are terminated. A legal father is the person who is or was married to the biological mother at the time of conception of the baby and the birth of the child. He may or may not be the biological father. The birth mother will surrender her parental rights to the child to the agency by signing adoption surrender documents twenty-four hours or more after the birth of the baby.  A biological father (who is not the legal father) is able to sign surrender documents transferring any rights he has to the child to the agency any time before or after the baby is born. If there is a legal father and he is available to sign surrender documents, he will also sign the adoption surrender documents, transferring his parental rights to the child to the agency, twenty-four hours or more after the birth of the baby. These surrender documents must be signed in the presence of an adult witness and a Notary Public.

If a legal parent or biological father (who is not the legal father) cannot be located, if the biological father’s identity is unknown, or if the legal father or biological father refuses to sign surrender documents because he denies paternity, the agency will assume responsibility for terminating his rights to the child through a court proceeding. This proceeding, through which the best possible notice will be given to the legal father or biological father of the termination action, will generally take about two to three months. The court will enter an order at the final hearing terminating any rights the legal father and/or biological father has to the child. The court in which you file your petition to finalize the adoption will accept the termination order.

       6.  What is the revocation period in Georgia?

Under Georgia law, birth parents have a four-day period after signing the surrender documents in which they can change their mind and revoke a surrender. Please note that a birth parent may have more than a four-day revocation period because the last day of the revocation period must fall on a business day.

       7.  What is ICPC?

ICPC stands for Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children.  It is federal legislation that was drafted in 1960 to ensure the protection of rights and services for children who are placed for adoption across state lines.  ICPC allows for the legal transport of a child from one state to another in a foster or adoption placement.  Once a child has been born, adoptive parents will typically travel to the home state of the child to accept placement of the child.  It is in that state that they wait with the child until the required ICPC paperwork is complete and accepted by both the child’s home state and the adoptive parents’ home state.  The completion time of ICPC can range anywhere from a few days to up to two weeks.  Adoptive parents will typically spend this time in the child’s state of birth waiting for a phone call or email telling them they can go home. They can stay anywhere in the state as long as they do not cross state lines until they receive approval.  Georgia Adoption Specialists strives to get Adoptive Parents home as quickly as possible.  We email or hand deliver, if necessary, all packets so that they are submitted to Georgia ICPC as quickly as possible.  Georgia ICPC participates in NEICE, The National Electronic Interstate Compact Enterprise, which is a software application that enables the electronic exchange of information that is required for interstate placements of children in foster care or adoptive settings.  Currently, there are 45 states that participate in NEICE.  If the adoptive parents’ home state also participates in NEICE, the ICPC process is generally much quicker.  In an effort to make the ICPC process go as smoothly as possible, Georgia Adoption Specialists requests an ICPC checklist from the adoptive parents’ home state to ensure all requirements of that state are known and can be addressed in the original packet, therefore making sure there are no unforeseen delays in the adoptive family’s ability to travel home.

       8.  What is private verses public adoption?

 There are pros and cons to both private and public adoption.  Private adoptions typically involve newborns and are the result of birth parents voluntarily choosing to place their child for adoption.  These types of adoptions can be expensive for adoptive parents due to agency fees, attorney fees and birth mother living expenses.  Adoptive parents usually have access to much more information in a private adoption, such as background forms with family health information, prenatal records, labor and delivery records and newborn care records.  Adoptive parents and Birth parents usually meet and develop a caring relationship for each other.  Public agency adoptions are handled through state run government entities.  Children are in foster care and looking for a permanent home.  They are typically older and are in care due to abuse and neglect.  There is no cost to adoptive parents, but these types of adoptions can be a long and frustrating process.

       9.  What is an open adoption?

Open adoption is a form of adoption in which the biological and adoptive families have access to varying degrees of each other’s personal information and have many options for contact both pre and post birth.  Most birth mothers want to meet the adoptive parents at least once.  Sometimes, if the adoptive parents live close enough they meet several times or a birth mother may invite them to attend one or more of her OB appointments.  This gives them more time to get to know each other and develop a bond.  After birth openness varies greatly.  The most common arrangement is the exchange of letters and pictures, usually though age 18 either through an intermediary, email or a private social media page.  These contacts are generally once to a few times a year around the child’s birthday, holidays or other significant events.  There are also some fully open adoptions in which birth parents request ongoing visits with adoptive families.  The number of these visits and where they take place also varies and are typically created by everyone’s comfort level with the situation.  In most cases, a post adoption contact agreement is signed after your social worker has helped mediate an agreed amount of contact and how these contacts will be facilitated.  It ensures everyone is on the same page with regard to expectations for contact.

     10.  What is a legally enforceable post adoption contact agreement?

When adoptions started to become more open, many states created legislation to help guide this process.  On May 7, 2013, a bill was passed in Georgia that provided for enforceable post-adoption contact agreements.  This new law created the ability to have a legally binding voluntary post-adoption contract between the adopting parents and the child’s birth parents.  In order for the law to apply to an adoption, all parties have to be in agreement with the contract.  Therefore, the details of the contact agreement should be worked out before a child is born.  A social worker or attorney can help with the mediation of this process to ensure everyone is comfortable to what is agreed upon.  It has been seen as a great step to ensure birth parents receive what is promised around the time of birth and that adoptive parents understand the expectations of the birth parents and feel capable of fulfilling what is requested.  Modifications are permitted under this new law.  This Georgia law requires a clause in the agreements to state clearly that violation of the agreement will in no way effect the finality of the adoption.  Parties may petition a court to seek enforcement or modification of the agreement.   

       11.  What documents or information can we expect to receive from Georgia Adoption Specialists when we are presented with a match?

You can expect to receive a written summary with important facts about the case, background forms, an estimate of living expenses needed, an estimate of any medical expenses, and prenatal records (if available) or assurance of proof of pregnancy.

       12.  Can expenses be paid to a birth mother?

Living expenses for a birth mother can legally be paid under Georgia law.  These expenses include rent, food, utilities, and maternity clothes.  Adoptive families cannot pay these expenses directly.  The agency must pay the expenses on behalf of adoptive parents.  At Georgia Adoption Specialists, we try in most cases to pay expenses directly to the providers or to pay for things in a method that ensures these bills get paid.  For example, we will pay a birth mother’s power bill online direct to Georgia Power.  If confidentiality is an issue, such a birth mother not wanting her landlord to know she has planned an adoption, then we will provide her a money order to pay her rent, which is made out to the landlord.  Adoptive parents will sign a budget approval form, so that it is clear what the monthly budget is for the birth mother’s expenses.  Any changes to the budget will be discussed with adoptive parents.  Georgia Adoption Specialists keeps detailed receipts of all expenses paid and gives adoptive families a detailed accounting for their records once the adoption is complete.

       13.  What is the adoption tax credit? Are there any other sources of help with adoption costs?

For adoptions finalized in 2020, there is a federal adoption tax credit of up to $14,300 per child. The 2020 adoption tax credit is NOT refundable, which means taxpayers can only use the credit if they have federal income tax liability.  The credit applies one time for each adopted child.  To be eligible for the credit, parents must: (1) Have adopted a child other than a stepchild — A child must be either under 18 or be physically or mentally unable to take care of him or herself and (2) Be within the income limits — Income affects how much of the credit parents can claim. In 2020, families with a modified adjusted gross income below $214,520 can claim full credit. Those with incomes from $214,520 to $254,520 can claim partial credit, and those with incomes above $254,520 cannot claim the credit.  Please check the IRS website for additional information about the adoption tax credit.

There are also adoption loans and adoption grants available for some families.  Please check out the resources page on this website for additional information unloads and grants.  In addition, you can Google these topics and research the options to see if you qualify for any of these programs.

Lastly, as a benefit many companies offer financial reimbursement for their employees who adopt.  Check with human resources where you work and see if any benefits are available for you.  Georgia Adoption Specialists will help provide any requested paperwork needed to assist with grants, loans or employee benefit reimbursement.

       14.   Do we need to retain an attorney?       

 After you have completed a minimum of two post-placement visits, the agency will generally notify you that you are ready to finalize your adoption. You, as prospective adoptive parents working with our agency, must retain an attorney of your choice to finalize the adoption. The attorney will prepare a Petition for Adoption to file in the county in which you reside. (Out of state families can finalize their adoptions in Georgia and, in these cases, the Petition to Adopt will be filed in Fulton County, the county where Georgia Adoption Specialists is located.)  With your consent, the agency will send to your attorney a consent to the adoption, all required legal documents and any other supporting documents requested.  If required, Georgia Adoption Specialists will also prepare and submit a written court report to the court. The agency will also be available to your attorney to answer any questions. At the final hearing, the Judge will enter an Order establishing the legal parent-child relationship between you and the child, will terminate the parental rights of the biological parents, if not already done, and will change your child’s name. You should receive a certificate or copy of the Order at this hearing. Your attorney or you must send the agency a copy of such certificate or Order for our files. Before the final hearing, the agency or your attorney will also file with the court a Certificate of Adoption to be processed through the State Vital Records Office so that an amended birth certificate can be issued for the child. In Georgia, it generally takes six weeks before the amended birth certificate is prepared. 

       15.  What adoption resources are available in Georgia?

 The Georgia Adoption Reunion Registry (the “Registry”) was created as a result of state law, which became effective on July 1, 1990 (O.C.G.A § 19-8-23(f)). The Registry seeks to offer services to birth parents who placed their children, adopted individuals who are 18 years or older, adoptive parents of children under age 18, and siblings separated by adoption and who are 18 years old or older. Families First, a private licensed adoption agency, manages the Registry through a contract with the Office of Adoptions.

The Adoption Reunion Registry offers the following services: (a) Non-Identifying Information/Summaries; (b) Searches for Birth Parents by the Adult Adopted Person; (c) Searches for Adult Siblings; (e) Information and Referral to Support/Search Groups; and (f) Counseling and Intermediary Services.  There are no fees for birth parents, adult adopted persons, or siblings to register their name, location, and decision about whether to waive their rights to confidentiality. There are reasonable fees for non-identifying information and adoption searches by adult adopted persons, birth parents and siblings separated by adoption.

How to Get More Information:

Georgia Adoption Reunion Registry
2 Peachtree Street, NW, Suite 8-407
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3142
Phone Numbers: (404) 657-3555 or 1-888-328-0055 www.ga-adoptionreunion.com

       16.  What is an adoption profile and how do we prepare one?

This is a letter or booklet you create that will be showed to prospective birth parents for them to choose adoptive parents for their baby.  You will share information to highlight your lifestyle, interests, backgrounds, family life, and thoughts about parenting and adoption.  It is typically a 10-20 page letter with many pictures throughout to create a snapshot of your life.  You will be chosen when a birth mother connects with you and sees the life she dreams for her child as a match to your lifestyle and dreams for your child.  Most adoptive parents create their own letter.  There is a lot of advice online about how to do this.  You can google adoption profile samples for help.  Additionally, there are some professional services that specialize in creating profiles, if you feel you cannot do it yourself.

       17.  Can we adopt a child of a different race?

 Yes!  It is up to each individual family what race or races of children you are open to matching with.  This is a personal decision and only you can decide what is the right answer for your family. 

       18.  Can same sex couples adopt through Georgia Adoption Specialists?

 Yes!  We welcome all qualified adoptive parents that can provide a stable and loving home.

       19.  What is the selection and placement process when Georgia Adoption Specialists is providing placement services?

Once applicants have completed the home study process or submitted their home study from another agency, they will be considered as a prospective adoptive family for all birth mothers who have decided to work with us in an adoption plan. Birth parents are asked to describe the type of adoptive family they desire for their child. We also request information regarding their health history and the level of contact required both before and after the birth of a baby. Once we have this information, we review all our approved applicants to identify those families which best match the description given to us by the birth mother. Then we send a prepared written narrative about the birthparent(s) to see if you would be interested in having your profile letter shown to a birth mother (and birth father, if he is participating in the process). 

When a profile letter is shown to a birth mother, we will generally show her three to five letters.  Some birth parents are able to identify an adoptive family shortly after reading the profile letters. Other birth parents need several days to make a decision.  As soon as a birth mother notifies us of her decision regarding the adoptive family, we will notify the applicants and then proceed to schedule a meeting, if this is the desire of the birth parent(s).  This meeting generally takes place before a baby is born, but sometimes the meeting occurs in the hospital following the birth of the baby.

Birth mothers in Georgia are unable to sign agency surrender documents until at least twenty-four hours after the birth of the child.  In some instances, applicants will be able to visit with the baby during the hospital stay or even be permitted to stay at the hospital in their own room. Hospital policies with regard to adoptions vary.  Prior to the birth, the agency will attempt to find out the hospital’s policies and inform both the birth mother and adoptive family.

A family will sign a placement agreement at the time the baby is placed in your physical custody, which typically takes place just prior to discharge from the hospital.  They will also sign an agreement regarding ongoing contact (usually specifying when letters and pictures are due), if any, between them and the biological parent(s) and a document outlining any legal risks that apply to their situation.

       20.  What are post placement services?

The Agency Casework Supervisor will visit the adoptive family at least twice after the placement of a child and prior to the Petition for Adoption being filed to ensure the prospective adoptive parents are delivering care in a safe and healthy environment to the child/children. The first visit may be made at any time after the placement of the child. There shall be a minimum of two weeks between the required home visits for a child age 12 months or younger. There shall be a minimum of 30 days between the required home visits for a child over the age of 12 months. Visits will continue monthly until a court date for finalization has been set. At least one of these visits will include the entire adoptive family. Documentation of the home visits will be maintained in both the prospective adoptive family’s file and the child’s file. Documentation of home visits will include a summary of the entire family’s adjustment to the prospective adoptive placement, any problem or issue that has arisen, and the resolution of the problem or issue.

Out of state families will comply with their state laws with regard to post placement supervision and finalization, but will be required to complete a minimum of two post placement visits. For Georgia families adopting a child from another state, the originating state and/or the placing agency may require additional post placement requirements.

For families that have adopted through another placement resource, the adoptive family needs to contact Georgia Adoption Specialists regarding post placement services in compliance with agency, state and/or country regulations for post placement supervision according to the schedule of their placement agency. The adoptive applicant agrees to pay the post placement fee and mileage costs incurred for post placement supervision services to Georgia Adoption Specialists at the time service is rendered. The length of the post placement supervision varies from case to case and the applicant must cooperate and fulfill their obligations for post placement supervision. The adoptive family will need to contact the originating state and/or placement agency to determine the number of post placement visits they are required to complete. 

The Agency will explain the legal requirements for finalization of an adoption to the adoptive family. The adoptive family may engage an attorney of its own choice to finalize the adoption. The Agency will not finalize the adoption for applicants. The Agency will help complete the adoption as requested by the Superior Court through preparation and submission of a written court report. The agency will maintain a copy of the birth certificate and court report in the adoption record.