Adoption could be the best thing you ever do. If it's right for you, there’s no doubt that it can change your life for the better.

Are you considering adoption in St. Joseph, MO? If so, you’ve come to the right place. This guide to adoption in St. Joe is meant for hopeful parents and prospective birth mothers.

We know that the process can be confusing, especially when you are just getting started. Here, we’ll cover the most important information you need to know about local professionals and other resources that will play a big part in your journey. Equipped with this information, you’ll be ready to confidently step into your adoption journey.

One birth mother was even inspired by her experience with American Adoptions to pursue a master’s degree in sociology. “I want to make lives better for the birth family, the baby, and the adoptive family. Adoption helps turn a bad situation into a happy ending,” Jennifer said.

Our adoption specialists are eager to help you begin your adoption journey. To get started, you can call 1-800-ADOPTION to speak to an adoption professional or get free information online.

When it comes to getting started on your St. Joseph adoption, the most important step you can take is picking the right adoption agency.

Adoption Agencies in St. Joseph, MO

Why are adoption agencies so important? Like we said, this process can be challenging. You deserve to experience the fulfillment that comes with a successful adoption process. Agencies provide professional support, services and guidance that can significantly improve your experience along the way and increase your chances of a successful adoption placement.

For the best agency for your adoption in St. Joe, look no further than American Adoptions.

We are a full-service, fully licensed national adoption agency based a short drive southwest in Overland Park, KS at 7500 W 110th Street. With more than 30 years of experience serving prospective birth mothers and hopeful adoptive parents in the domestic infant adoption process, you can trust us to guide you to a successful placement.

What kind of support do our specialists provide for your adoption in St. Joe? A wide range of services, such as:

• 24/7 support and counseling for prospective birth mothers. Our adoption counselors are trained to help you work through the difficult emotions you might be experiencing and help you determine if adoption is right for you. More than that — our team is made up of birth parents, adoptive families and adoptees. We know what it’s like to go through this journey, and we can help you.

• The scope of a national adoption agency: Our national reach means we have the resources and services available to you to ensure a positive adoption experience. This also means we work with multiple families at once, which grants you shorter wait times when looking for the perfect adoption opportunity.

• Adoption financial assistance for prospective birth mothers. Adoption will never cost you a dime as the birth mother. Not only will you not have to pay for our services, but we will provide financial assistance for your pregnancy costs and living expenses throughout your pregnancy.

“Knowing that this child needed a home and that was something we could provide — not only are you getting the family of your dreams, but you’re providing a home to a child that needed it. All of it is such a great experience. It makes it all worth it,” said Meg, an adoptive parent who worked with American Adoptions.

Want to learn more? Let’s talk about beginning your St. Joseph adoption with our agency. Call 1-800-ADOPTION at any time to speak with a specialist or get free information online.

American Adoptions has experience in all of the various areas of the adoption process, making us an ideal choice for expectant birth parents and hopeful adoptive parents. As a national adoption agency, we have many services and resources available to both sides while maintaining the locality and hospitality of a local agency.

Home Study Providers for Adoption in St. Joseph

The home study is an important part of the St. Joseph adoption process. Every hopeful parent must complete this step before they are eligible to be matched with a child or have their profile shown to prospective birth mothers.

This review of your living situation and adoption readiness is required for all types of adoption. It is conducted by a social worker from a licensed home study provider. As a national domestic adoption agency with over 30 years of experience, American Adoptions ensures you do not face unnecessary delays while you receive the personal attention, support, and expertise you deserve.

American Adoptions is a licensed full-service adoption agency that provides home study services for families throughout the entire state of Missouri. Follow this link to begin your home study and to learn more about the services we offer.

Foster Care Adoption in St. Joseph, MO

Did you know that there is more than one type of adoption? American Adoptions works with individuals in the domestic infant adoption process, which is the adoption of newborn babies. However, when you’re a hopeful parent, there are a couple of other options to consider.

Foster care adoption in St. Joseph could be the best way for you to start your family. How can you know which type of adoption is right for you? It’s a very personal choice. Ask yourself:

• Do I want to adopt a newborn or an older child?

• Am I open to adopting a sibling set?

• Am I able to provide appropriate care for a child with special needs?

Depending on your answers, you may find yourself pursuing foster care adoption in St. Joe. If that’s the case, contact one of these professionals to learn more:

• Missouri Department of Social Services

• Cornerstones of Care

• FosterAdopt Connect

International Adoption in St. Joe

Yet another potential route for hopeful parents is international adoption. While it has been declining in popularity for the past decade, this is still a pathway to starting a family that thousands of Americans choose each year.

Could international adoption in St. Joe be right for you? To learn more, you can start by contacting a Hague-approved international agency. There are several of these organizations in Missouri:

• Children’s Hope International

• Holt International

• Lutheran Children and Family Services

St. Joseph Adoption Attorneys

Every type of adoption is governed by a unique set of laws and regulations. It’s important to follow all of these exactly in order to complete a successful adoption placement, which is why you will need to work with a St. Joseph adoption attorney.

If you work with American Adoptions for placement, you won’t have to worry about finding an attorney on your own. Your specialist will connect you with a legal professional from our trusted network.

If you’re an expectant birth parent, not only will your adoption specialist connect you with your adoption attorney, your attorney fees will also be covered by our adoption financial assistance.

However, if you would like to locate a lawyer on your own, you can certainly do so. Here are a few law offices to consider as you begin your search for an attorney for adoption in St. Joseph:

• Michael J. Belfonte, P.C.

• Murphy, Taylor, Siemens & Elliot P.C.

St. Joe Hospitals for Prenatal Care and Delivery

Choosing adoption for your baby is a courageous decision. When you’re a prospective birth mother, we understand how overwhelming this choice and this journey can feel. That’s why we put you in charge of your process.

With the help of a specialist, you’ll create a plan for your adoption in St. Joseph. You’ll decide how much contact you would like pre- and post-placement, and you’ll choose the family you think will be best for your baby.

With many American Adoptions staff members being adoptive parents, birth parents, or adoptees themselves, they understand how overwhelming the idea of the hospital stay portion of the process can seem. There are a lot of moving parts, but our adoption specialists will be available to you to answer your questions and coordinate any adoption plan-related arrangements.

You can also decide where you would like to receive your prenatal care and deliver your baby when the time comes. Adoption financial assistance will cover your pregnancy-related medical expenses, so you can focus on picking a hospital that makes you feel comfortable.

There are several medical centers to consider for your St. Joseph adoption:

• Mosaic Medical Center

• Providence Health

• St. Joseph Hospital

St. Joseph Adoption Courts

Placement is the moment most hopeful parents imagine — when you hold your child for the first time. This moment is incredible, but you may be surprised to learn that it’s not the last step of your adoption in St. Joseph. You still need to receive your final decree of adoption.

The adoption finalization hearing takes place around six months after placement. In between placement and finalization, a social worker will stop by your house for post-placement visits and create a report documenting how everyone is adjusting. At the hearing, a judge will review this report and other important documents. Then, they will issue your final decree of adoption.

When you work with American Adoptions, your specialist will be there to provide support all the way up to this big day. To finalize your adoption in St. Joseph, you will most likely need to go to a Buchanan County Courthouse. The birth parents do not need to attend the adoption finalization. This is only required of the prospective adoptive parents.

Things to Do in St. Joe

Are you traveling to St. Joe from out of town to adopt a child? You should plan on spending some time here. You’ll likely be in town for pre-placement visits, as well as an extended stay post-placement while the ICPC process plays out.

Why not take the time to get to know this wonderful city? There’s plenty to do while you’re here for your adoption in St. Joseph:

• Best Restaurants in St. Joe

• East Hills Mall

• Krug Park

Are you ready to begin your journey with American Adoptions? Our specialists are waiting to hear from you. Call us today at 1-800-ADOPTION or get free information online for prospective birth mothers and for hopeful adoptive parents.

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.