It’s common for women experiencing an unplanned pregnancy or hopeful adoptive parents to start their adoption journey by seeking a local adoption agency.

After all, quickly traveling to meet an adoption professional in person may be more appealing than jumping on a zoom call with a national adoption agency that has an office a few states over.

In this guide, we’ll explain what local adoption agencies in Alabama do. We’ll also examine why some prospective birth moms and hopeful adoptive families choose to work with them.

If you prefer to work with our agency, we can complete your adoption in Alabama. You can contact us by filling out our online form or calling 1-800-ADOPTION. But, if you still aren’t sure who you’d like to work with and want to find out more about local adoption agencies in Alabama, continue reading.

Local Adoption Agencies in Alabama Basics

Local adoption agencies throughout the United States – including local adoption agencies in Alabama – typically have the following benefits:

• They operate and have an office in-state, making them easier to visit.
• You can often meet your adoption specialist in person.
• You can have adoption counseling in person.
• You may experience more direct communication.
• Sometimes local adoption agencies have lower adoption fees thanks to lower overhead. But, this isn’t always true.

Where can I Find Local Adoption Agencies in Alabama?

Local adoption agencies typically operate in major metro cities. So, if you live in a rural area, you may have to travel to a larger city for help.

The following are a few local adoption agencies you can work with in Alabama:

• Agape
• Family Adoption Services
• Lifeline Children’s Services
• Catholic Family Services
• Agape of North Alabama, Inc.
• Donna Ames
• Adoption Rocks
• Angel Adoption Services

The Advantages of Working with Local Adoption Agencies in Alabama

There are plenty of potential advantages to working with local adoption agencies in Alabama — for both prospective birth parents and hopeful adoptive families.

Advantages for Prospective Birth Moms

• You can meet your adoption professional: You can go to the agency’s office. Some people prefer having face-to-face meetings.
• Possible in-person counseling: Some people also prefer face-to-face counseling.
• Fewer employees: This means you may experience more direct and clear communication.
• Less travel: If you choose an open adoption, you won’t have to travel as far for future in-person meetings with your child and the adoptive family.
• State licensing: A local adoption agency in Alabama is a state-monitored and licensed organization. It will have more accountability than law firms, law centers, or adoption facilitators.

Advantages for Hopeful Adoptive Parents

• You can meet your adoption professional: You can go to the agency’s office. Some people prefer having face-to-face meetings.
• Fewer clients and staff: Fewer clients mean you may get more of your adoption professional’s time. And fewer employees mean you may experience more direct and clear communication.
• You may experience lower adoption costs: Adoption may cost less because of lower overhead, but this isn’t always the case.
• Less travel: You won’t have to travel to meet the prospective birth mother or for your baby’s birth.
• State licensing: A local adoption agency in Alabama is a state-monitored and licensed organization. It will have more accountability than law firms, law centers, or adoption facilitators.

The Disadvantages of Working with Local Adoption Agencies in Alabama

There are also some potential drawbacks to working with local adoption agencies in Alabama that you should be aware of. For some, these disadvantages are worth dealing with. Others find that the cons outweigh the pros and opt for a national adoption agency, like American Adoptions.

Disadvantages for Prospective Birth Moms

• Less availability: Because many local adoption agencies in Alabama have fewer employees, they may not be available to answer questions promptly. National adoption agencies, like American Adoptions, typically can quickly return your calls and emails and are available 24/7.
• Less effective counseling services: Although local adoption agencies can counsel you through the adoption process, national adoption agencies typically have more experience. National agencies often have more expertise in evaluating, educating, and guiding birth moms through adoption.

Disadvantages for Hopeful Adoptive Parents

• Longer wait times: Because local adoption agencies in Alabama work with fewer clients, wait times can be unpredictable. Smaller agencies also may not be able to complete a consistent number of placements each year.
• Less advertising that may be more expensive: Smaller agencies often don’t have the staff or resources to promote clients. And, even if they do, local adoption agencies’ advertising costs may be more expensive because the fees are separate.
• Less stability: Local adoption agencies can absorb adoption law changes, economic downturns, or unexpected large-scale events. Smaller agencies may be more susceptible to these shifts, forcing them to close, leaving adoptive families in limbo. Smaller agencies also may be more easily affected by staff turnover.
• Potential for higher adoption costs: Sometimes, local adoption agencies in Alabama and throughout the United States don’t factor common adoption costs, such as a prospective birth mom’s living, medical, and legal expenses, into the average total cost of adoption.
• Less financial protection: It’s common for local adoption agencies to be unable to offer financial protection for adoptive families if their adoption falls through. Larger adoption agencies often have programs that ensure families get their money back. For example, American Adoption has developed its Risk-Sharing Program to ensure a family’s finances are protected if they experience adoption disruption.

Final Thoughts

You can choose the type of adoption agency in Alabama that you’d like to work with. There are always positive and negative aspects to consider. But, understanding your adoption agency options can help you get the services you need.

If you choose to work with American Adoptions, you can access the positive aspects of national and local adoption agencies in Alabama.

If you want to find out more about what our agency has to offer, you can call 1-800-ADOPTION or fill out our online form for free information today.

Disclaimer
Information available through these links is the sole property of the companies and organizations listed therein. American Adoptions provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.