There are many different reasons you could be considering adoption in Fairbanks, AK.

If you're an expectant mother, your unplanned pregnancy may have come at the worst time possible. Whether it is financial pressure or lack of support from family, you are trying to figure out the best thing you can do for yourself and for your baby. A Fairbanks adoption could be that. If you're ready to begin your Alaska adoption journey, you can contact an adoption specialist today.

For hopeful adoptive parents, you have always dreamed of raising a child. Some parents come to adoption after a long struggle with infertility, while others feel it is the right way to grow their family. Whatever your reason is, adoption in Fairbanks can be a truly beautiful opportunity.

As you consider adoption, it helps to understand some of the most important aspects of the Fairbanks adoption process. Understanding the adoption process can inform your decision and help the adoption feel less overwhelming. That’s why we created this guide to the Fairbanks adoption process.

We’ll cover adoption agencies, attorney, home studies, hospital plans and more. Once you’re done reading, you’ll have a much clearer picture of what it takes to complete a Fairbanks adoption. Still, you are likely to have more questions. You can call 1-800-ADOPTION at any time to ask an adoption specialist about working with our agency.

In the meantime, let’s dive into the Fairbanks adoption process.

Finding a Fairbanks Adoption Agency

Your adoption agency is your closest friend in the adoption process. Working with the right agency can completely change your experience during your Fairbanks adoption for the better. American Adoptions is a full-service national adoption agency, and we can guide you through every step of the adoption process in Fairbanks.

Working with a national adoption agency brings several distinct advantages. Due to our nationwide scope, we provide lower average wait times for adoptive families and expectant mothers. American Adoptions also works hard to protect the financial investment of adoptive families during the process. As a full-service agency, American Adoptions can work with you at every step of your Fairbanks adoption by providing services like:

• 24/7 counseling and support

• Guidance in creating the right adoption plan

• Support for pre-placement and post-placement communication

• Screen potential adoptive families

• And more

Alternatively, you can work with a smaller, local adoption agency in Fairbanks. Local adoption agencies can offer more face-to-face, personal interaction due to their smaller staff size. However, due to the same reason, local adoption agency staffs can often be overwhelmed, which produces longer average wait times. For your Fairbanks adoption, you can consider local organizations like the Alaska Center for Resource Families or Catholic Social Services.

Fairbanks Adoption Attorneys

The adoption process involves complex legal paperwork at nearly every step, which is why you need to work with a trustworthy adoption attorney. If you work with American Adoptions, our staff will refer you to an attorney in your area who will help you meet every legal requirement of your Fairbanks adoption.

You can also research and choose an adoption attorney on your own, although this can be challenging. Without asking the right questions, you could end up choosing the wrong attorney. This can significantly impact your Fairbanks adoption. You should ask any attorney you are considering questions like:

• How long have you been working with adoption?

• How many adoptions do you complete each year?

• Are you an expert in Alaska’s adoption law?

• Do you work with interstate adoption too?

• What hidden fees do you have?

There are several attorneys you can consider for your adoption in Fairbanks.

• Foster & Rogers LLC

• CSG, Inc.

• Valerie M Therrien, Attorney at Law, P.C.

Types of Adoption in Fairbanks

American Adoptions serves adoptive parents and expectant mothers in domestic infant adoption, which is one of the most common types of adoption in the U.S. There are, however, other types of adoption you could choose. Even though we can’t work with these, we want to do everything possible to help you. So, we've provided some more information below.

The other options for your Fairbanks adoption are:

• Foster care adoption in Fairbanks involves becoming a foster parent with the intent to adopt. Many of the children in Alaskan foster homes are not available for adoption, because the goal is to reunite them with their parents. However, hundreds of children are in need of adoption. You can learn more about becoming an Alaska foster parent by contacting the Office of Children’s Services.

• International adoption in Fairbanks is increasingly rare, but it could be right for your family. International adoption peaked in the U.S. in 2004, and it has been declining since. The process can be long, and it can be more complicated than a domestic adoption. But it can also be a beautiful way to become a parent. The best way to begin an international adoption in Fairbanks is to research international adoption agencies.

The Home Study for Adoption in Fairbanks

Regardless of which type of adoption you choose, any hopeful adoptive family must complete an adoption home study. During a home study, a licensed social worker will review your home through in-home visits and interviews. The social worker will be tasked with determining your adoption readiness and ensuring your home is a good environment for a child. If you work with American Adoptions, a home study provider will be referred to you, and your adoption specialist will guide you to a successful home study for your Fairbanks adoption.

If you would like to find an adoption home study provider near you, a good place to start is 1800HomeStudy.com.

Maternity Hospitals in Fairbanks

The hospital stay can be one of the most emotional parts of the Fairbanks adoption process for expectant mothers and adoptive families. As an expectant mother, you get to choose how this will go. As a part of creating your adoption plan, you will make decisions about the hospital stay, like how much time you spend with the baby before placement and how much contact you have with the adoptive parents. You will also need to decide where you would like to give birth. In Fairbanks, you could pick a maternity hospital like the Alaska Family Health & Birth Center or Fairbanks Memorial Hospital.

Fairbanks Adoption Finalization

After placement occurs at the hospital, an adoptive family still needs to finalize the adoption in court. This will involve several post-placement visits before a judge can give issue a final decree of adoption. For your Fairbanks adoption, you will need to go to the Fairbanks location of the Alaska Court System.

Next Steps in Your Fairbanks Adoption

You may still have more questions about adoption in Fairbanks with American Adoptions, or you may be ready to get the process started today. Either way, you can call 1-800-ADOPTION to speak with an adoption specialist at any time. Our specialists will help you understand all of your private domestic infant adoption options and make the choice that is best for you. 

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.