U.S. states individually establish their own adoption laws. Because South Carolina adoption laws are as unique as the adoption laws of any other state, you will need an adoption professional to guide you through the legal steps of adopting a child in South Carolina.

This is particularly important for families who work with a national adoption agency like American Adoptions. Because you might adopt outside of South Carolina state lines, and an expectant mother’s home state’s adoption laws will vary, you should work closely with your adoption professional to make sure your adoption adheres to both the laws of your state and your baby’s birth state. Call 1-800-ADOPTION now to speak with an adoption specialist, or request free information about South Carolina adoption online.

In the meantime, the following information will help you understand how the domestic adoption laws in South Carolina may affect your South Carolina adoption process.

Remember that the following information should not be construed as legal advice. When in doubt, contact an attorney.

Who Can Adopt in South Carolina?

South Carolina adoption laws do not specify any age or marriage requirements, although prospective adoptive parents must meet the adoption requirements of their adoption professional and the type of adoption they choose.

All hopeful adoptive parents must also be approved by a South Carolina-licensed home study professional. An adoption home study includes home inspections, background checks, training courses, family interviews and more.

Who Can Be Adopted in South Carolina?

Before a minor can be eligible for adoption in South Carolina, their biological parents must first terminate their legal parental rights in accordance with South Carolina adoption consent laws.

Adults and children 14 years old or older must give their consent if they wish to be adopted in South Carolina.

South Carolina Adoption Laws about Advertising

Only licensed child-placing agencies, attorneys or the Department of Social Services may advertise in regards to adoption. For everyone else, it’s illegal to advertise for adoption in South Carolina.

South Carolina Adoption Laws about Prospective Birth Parent Expenses

States also determine how much and what kind of expenses are payable to prospective birth parents during the adoption process on an individual basis. Prospective birth parent expenses are permitted in South Carolina, but not post-partum birth parent expenses.

Prospective birth parent expenses are designed to help pregnant women in South Carolina afford their pregnancy and childbirth when they’re creating an adoption plan. South Carolina adoption laws state that adoptive families are financially responsible for:

• Medical costs

• Reasonable living expenses for the prospective birth mother and the child for a reasonable period of time

• And more

All prospective birth parent expenses are approved by a South Carolina judge, and birth parents must offer receipts for requested expenses. A prospective birth parent’s requested expenses will vary depending on their individual financial needs, as no two prospective birth mothers’ situations are exactly alike.

Payment in any form in exchange for the placement of a child is illegal.

American Adoptions offers a unique Risk-Sharing Program for adoptive parents to financially protect them in the event of a disrupted adoption, when adoptive families would otherwise not be reimbursed for the value of any lost expenses paid in an adoption situation. To learn more about this program and the other advantages of working with American Adoptions, please call 1-800-ADOPTION now.

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