If you’re considering placing your baby for adoption because you do not feel like you are financially equipped to raise a child, you might be asking yourself: “Do mothers get paid for adoption in Missouri?”

It’s a question that is asked in adoption conversations fairly frequently. It’s understandable; financial concerns often come into play when a woman is facing an unplanned pregnancy, and there is a lot of confusion about adoption for compensation in Missouri and across the U.S. But, we are here to set the record straight.

American Adoptions will work with you to determine what your financial situation looks like so they can ensure your needs are being met. You can contact an adoption specialist online or call 1-800- ADOPTION to get the financial assistance you need.

Getting Paid for Adoption in Missouri

Before we go any further, a clarification: No one should ever give you money to influence your adoption decision, and you cannot get money for “giving a baby up” for adoption in Missouri — or in any state. However, for a woman considering adoption, Missouri does allow adoptive families to pay for certain pregnancy-related expenses — and it is always free to put a child up for adoption.

So, while you don’t get “paid” for adoption in Missouri, you may receive financial assistance to help you keep up with bills and additional costs related to pregnancy. Pregnancy-related expenses may include but are not limited to:

• Rent

• Utilities

• Groceries

• Transportation

• Medical expenses

Missouri prevents adoptive parents from paying any expenses deemed unreasonable by the courts, and it’s illegal to ever exchange money for the termination of parental rights. These are all important things to keep in mind as you navigate the adoption process in Missouri, but also remember that an adoption specialist will be there with you to ensure no missteps are made along the way when you work with American Adoptions.

If you’re still wondering, “Do I get money for giving my baby for adoption in Missouri?” or if you have questions about the adoption financial assistance you could receive in your situation, speak to an adoption specialist any time, with no obligation, at 1-800-ADOPTION or get free information online.

In the meantime, here’s what you need to know “payment” for birth mothers’ adoption expenses in Missouri.

Is it free to put a child up for adoption in Missouri?

Yes. In Missouri, putting a baby up for adoption costs nothing for you as the prospective birth mother. American Adoptions can provide all of the services you need for adoption at no cost to you, including:

• 24/7 counseling and support. Placing your baby for adoption can come with some complicated emotions. Our adoption counselors are here to help.

• Information about adoption and all your unplanned pregnancy options to help you with your decision-making process. Your adoption specialist will be by your side every step of the way to answer questions you may have along the way.

• Adoption planning and coordination of the process. Your adoption specialist will facilitate everything, but you will have complete control over your adoption plan.

• Help finding the perfect adoptive family for your baby. Your adoption specialist will provide you with adoptive family profiles that match what you are looking for. As a national adoption agency, American Adoptions works with more adoptive families than most other agencies, which means you will have better chances of finding a family that fits what you are looking for. From these profiles, you will be able to choose the perfect adoptive family for your baby.

• Medical services, including prenatal care and hospital expenses. You have enough to worry about without adding financial stress. American Adoptions will ensure that any prenatal care costs and medical expenses are covered.

• Ongoing support after placement. This includes counseling and eligibility for our agency's birth parent scholarship

When you work with American Adoptions, you will have your own adoption specialist who will provide these services and more to ensure your needs are met and you are as comfortable as possible throughout this process. You will never have to worry about how much it costs to “give a child up” for adoption in Missouri, because all of these services are completely free to you.

In fact, many of your living and pregnancy expenses could be free to you, as well. That’s because you may qualify for financial support when “giving a baby up” for adoption in Missouri to cover things like your rent, groceries and utilities.

Do adoption agencies pay birth mothers in Missouri?

The answer to this question, as we’ll explain below, is no — but working with a reputable adoption agency is the best way to receive the financial assistance you need during the adoption process. When a woman chooses to pursue an independent adoption, where she and the prospective adoptive parents find each other without the help of a professional, the adoptive parents may only pay for actual adoption services. This will include expenses such as legal adoption fees and serves to ensure that nobody profits from the placement of a child.

American Adoptions, on the other hand, can work with you to ensure that you receive financial assistance for putting a baby up for adoption and that the adoptive parents are able to help with living expenses as working becomes more difficult during your pregnancy. This is still regulated by the state; Missouri only allows agencies to collect fees from adoptive parents that are reasonable or cover the actual cost of an adoption. We understand how important it is to have access to financial assistance and we will always ensure your process is as easy as possible.

If you’re a prospective adoptive parent wondering how much it costs to adopt a child, you can find the answer to that and other adoption expense related questions here.

So, while there are no adoption agencies that pay you, there are adoption agencies in Missouri that help with living expenses — including American Adoptions. 

How much adoption financial assistance can I get in MO?

The answer to this question is going to vary based on your circumstances. For example, if you are living with your parents, you probably won’t need as much support for costs such as rent or utilities. If you’re a single woman living on her own and supporting children, your expenses are likely higher. It’s also possible that your circumstances will change throughout your pregnancy. When your adoption specialist gets to know you and understand your financial needs, he or she will work with you to make sure you get the financial assistance you need.

Why do pregnant women in Missouri “get paid” for adoption expenses?

Sometimes pregnant women are reluctant to accept financial assistance when pursuing adoption; they don’t want anyone to assume they’re “giving a baby up” for adoption money. However, Missouri allows this for a reason: Pregnancy is physically and emotionally demanding, particularly if you aren’t ready to raise a child. It may also be more difficult for you to work during your pregnancy, which adds to the stress of an already stressful situation. Allowing prospective adoptive parents to pay pregnancy-related costs provides you with a little more leeway to focus on yourself, your baby and the adoption decision you’re facing.

If you’re a pregnant woman wondering if you can get paid for adoption in Missouri, it’s a good idea to speak with an adoption specialist. To get connected with one of ours at American Adoptions, call 1-800-ADOPTION, or get free information here. 

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