All hopeful adoptive parents must meet the requirements to adopt in Oregon before they can be placed with a child. Those adoption requirements will vary depending on the type of adoption in Oregon you pursue and the adoption professional you work with.

If you’re ready to talk to one of our adoption specialists, you can contact us today by calling 1-800-ADOPTION or filling out our free online form.

But, if you want to learn more about adoption before contacting us, the following includes answers to some of the most frequently-asked questions about the requirements for adopting a child in Oregon:

Do I have to be married to adopt in Oregon?

No, you don’t have to be married to adopt a child in Oregon. Individuals may adopt as well as married couples.

However, Oregon adoption laws state that at least one of the prospective adoptive parents needs to have lived in Oregon continuously for at least six months.

It should also be noted that individual adoption professionals typically have their own set of adoption qualifications regarding single versus married adoptive parents. For example, American Adoptions requires that adoptive parents be married for at least two years before adopting, although exceptions have been made.

To learn more about our agency's Oregon adoption requirements, call 1-800-ADOPTION.

Can same-sex couples adopt in Oregon?

Yes, same-sex couples can adopt a child in Oregon the same as opposite-sex couples. Again, adoption professionals can have their own requirements about potential adoptive parents.

American Adoptions welcomes LGBT families who wish to adopt a child in Oregon. Contact us now to learn more.

How old do you have to be to adopt in Oregon? Is there an adoption age limit?

Oregon adoption laws do not state a minimum age to adopt or an upper adoption age limit in Oregon, although adoption professionals often have their own age requirements to adopt in Oregon. American Adoptions requests that prospective adoptive parents be between 22 and 50 years old, for example.

Again, exemptions have been made to this adoption requirement, so contact us to learn more about our age requirements to adopt a child in Oregon.

Can a felon adopt a child in Oregon?

All potential adoptive parents in the United States must first be cleared to adopt via a home study. All home studies include extensive safety clearances, such as criminal background checks.

But if you’ve ever been convicted of a felony, you will not automatically be prevented from adopting in Oregon. Your social worker and the court will review your situation and determine if you can be placed with a child on an individual basis. To do this, you’ll first need to apply through an adoption agency.

What do I need to adopt a child in Oregon? And how hard is it to adopt a baby?

While the standard legal adoption requirements in Oregon are easily put to paper, there are other requirements to adoption that you may not have considered. These Oregon adoption requirements will include:

The Health Requirements to Adopt in OR

During your home study process, your family’s physical and mental capabilities of providing for a child are taken into consideration. You’ll be asked to provide your current health records as part of your home study.

The Financial Adoption Requirements in OR

Your financial stability is also considered in your home study process. You’ll submit current financial records as part of your home study, as well.

The Emotional Requirements for Adopting a Child in OR

Although it’s not as easily proven through a piece of paper, your emotional readiness for adoption is one of the most important requirements for adopting a child in Oregon. Meeting the emotional requirements to adopt in Oregon is often seen as one of the best indicators for a successful adoption.

Emotional requirements that adoptive parents may need to consider include:

• Addressing any grief due to infertility, miscarriage, or child loss.

• Ensuring that you and your spouse are united in your adoption goals, your feelings about adoption and your parenting techniques before you begin the adoption process.

• Learning about the Oregon adoption process and about raising adopted children so that you can prepare yourself emotionally for these processes.

• Emotionally preparing yourself for maintaining a post-adoption relationship with your child’s birth family.

• Staying committed to the OR adoption process, even in the face of potential challenges and unknowns.

Meet our agency's qualifications for adoption in Oregon and ready to get started today? Call 1-800-ADOPTION or request free adoption information online now to learn more.

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