Do mothers get paid for adoption? Does it cost to put a baby up for adoption in Maryland? Are there adoption agencies that pay you in Maryland? Does adoption compensation for birth mothers exist?

As an adoption agency, we field questions like this quite a bit, and it makes sense. You can reach out to adoption specialists at any time to get the answers you need.

When experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, money is often one of the first concerns on a woman’s mind. Whether she doesn’t feel that she can financially afford to raise a child or she’s just wondering about the possibilities of receiving financial assistance for adoption, it’s certainly a topic worth exploring. No matter how finances are playing on your mind as you think about adoption in Maryland, it’s completely reasonable.

Some of the above questions are easily addressed, while others have more complicated answers. We’ll address each one below.

Does it cost to put a baby up for adoption in Maryland?

No. No matter the circumstances, it is free to put a baby up for adoption in Maryland or anywhere else in the United States. It will never, ever cost you money to make this sacrifice for your child. The state of Maryland understands that pregnancy is both physically and emotionally challenging; it should not drain your bank account as well.

Regardless of whether you work with American Adoptions or another adoption professional in Maryland, choosing adoption for your child will always be completely free to you.

Does adoption compensation for birth mothers exist?

You should never accept money or anything of value in exchange for placing your baby for adoption. However, you may indeed be eligible for adoption financial assistance in Maryland. Maryland adoption laws allow an adoptive family to cover birth parent expenses such as:

• Reasonable fees for adoption counseling, hospital, legal or medical services

• Reasonable expenses for transportation to and from medical care associated with the pregnancy or the birth of the child

• Reasonable expenses for a birth mother’s food, clothing and shelter if she is unable to work or support herself due to any medical reasons associated with the pregnancy

• Reasonable expenses associated with court appearances related to the adoption, including transportation, food and lodging

Are there adoption agencies that pay you in Maryland?

If you came to this article confused about payment for birth mothers, that’s understandable. It’s actually a bit misleading. In fact, you do not get paid for adoption in Maryland — or anywhere else in the U.S. It is illegal to accept money or anything of value in exchange for the decision to put your child up for adoption, and it is also illegal for anyone to offer that to you.

You will not get money to give baby up for adoption. However, as we noted above, you may still be eligible for financial assistance for adoption. Financial help for birth mothers giving baby up for adoption is certainly available to pregnant women in Maryland should you need it.

Do mothers get paid for adoption?

To reiterate, no. It is illegal to pursue adoption for compensation or profit. You do not get paid to do adoption in Maryland. As long as it’s completed both ethically and legally, though, adoptive families can help you with the costs of your pregnancy should you need financial assistance.

When you work with American Adoptions, your adoption specialist will help you to determine what adoption financial assistance you might be eligible for, since every woman has different expenses and living situations.

For more information about what Maryland financial assistance for adoption you may qualify for, please contact American Adoptions at 1-800-ADOPTION. 

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