7 Steps of the Adoption Process in Texas

Beginning your adoption journey is an exciting time for any hopeful adoptive parent. Getting the call that a prospective birth parent has chosen you to adopt their child is a life-changing experience.

But, how do you get to that exciting stage in the adoption process? And, how long does the adoption process take when you’re ready to adopt a child?

This comprehensive guide will walk you through every stage: from starting the adoption process in Texas to officially becoming parents. If you have any further questions about the adoption process in Texas, then our team of experienced adoption specialists would be happy to answer your questions.

Give American Adoptions of Texas a call at 1-800-ADOPTION or fill out our online contact form to get more free information now.

7 Steps of the Adoption Process in Texas

Adoption comes with its challenges, but it’s the priceless, loving path many hopeful adoptive families take to become parents. There are many similarities to biological parenthood in general, too, including:

• Shaping a child’s life and teaching them about the world

• Learning to appreciate every moment

• Putting your child’s needs and interests before yours

• Understanding that certain times will be tough, such as when an adopted child starts asking questions about their adoption story

• And more

Although your adoption journey can be complex, a reliable adoption professional can make a major difference when it comes to navigating your adoption. 

With over 30 years of experience, American Adoptions is a full-service, fully licensed child adoption agency that’s ready to help and support you through every stage of the adoption process in Texas.

Below are seven steps you can expect to follow when starting the adoption process in Texas.

Step 1: The Home Study

Your home study is a crucial task you’ll need to complete when beginning the adoption process in Texas. 

Each potential parent is required to complete the home study, which ensures that:

• You’re emotionally prepared for the adoption process

• You’re financially ready to parent

• Your home is a safe environment for a child

During your home study, you’ll meet with a social worker to review your personal information. You’ll need to provide your:

• Birth certificates 

• Financial records

• Marriage or divorce certificates, if applicable

Also, you’ll undergo a background check to ensure that there is nothing in your past that may prohibit you from becoming an adoptive parent.

One of the most important aspects of the home study is the interview. 

During the interview, your social worker will talk with you and get to know you better. You’ll discuss:

• How well you understand the adoption process in Texas

• The reasons you want to adopt

• What kind of placement you’re looking for

• Your parenting philosophy

• And more

The adoption process in Texas also includes a home inspection. This part of the home study is designed to ensure that your home is a safe place for a child to live. Your social worker will talk with you about your home and let you know if you need to make any changes. 

Once you have checked off all these items on your home study list, you can then move forward with the adoption process in Texas.

Step 2: Your Waiting Family Profile

When you decide to begin the adoption process in Texas, you’ll need to spend some time thinking about what will make you a great parent.

One of the first things you’ll do is create a waiting family profile.

Because American Adoptions is a national adoption agency, we can advertise your profile across the country. Most prospective birth mothers search for agencies through Google, so a better online reach means a shorter average wait time.

This is your chance to show a prospective birth parent why you’re a wonderful family for their child.

Every birth parent wants to know that their child will end up in the loving arms of the right family. So, taking your time to show them exactly how you’ll offer a welcoming home to their child can help ease their worries and make the adoption process in Texas much smoother.

Step 3: Match with a Prospective Birth Parent

One of the most amazing parts of adoption is getting the call that you have matched with a prospective birth parent.

They have put a lot of care and consideration into who they chose to raise their child, so matching with a prospective birth parent is a special moment in the adoption process in Texas.

From there, you can build your relationship with the prospective birth parent. American Adoptions requires all hopeful adoptive families who work with us to agree to some level of open adoption. This means that the adoptive family and birth parent have a relationship where they can:

• Conduct pre- and post-placement visits

• Exchange pictures

• Have video or phone calls

• Write each other emails or letters

• And more

Step 4: Complete the Placement

Whether you have been communicating with the birth parent for days or months, the next step is packing up the car (or booking a flight) and traveling to the birth parent’s location.

This part of the adoption process is where you get to meet the child for the first time. When the time comes for labor and delivery, you will go to the hospital and follow the prospective birth mother’s hospital plan. After delivery, you may get to hold the baby in your arms for the first time. 

Step 5: Follow ICPC Laws

If your adoption crosses state lines, then the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children is the next part of the adoption process in Texas.

During this part of your adoption, you’ll need to wait in the state your child was born in until you are approved to travel across state lines with your baby. This process can take anywhere from one to three weeks.

Step 6: Schedule Post-Placement Visits

You may think the adoption process ends the moment you take your child home, but there are still a few post-placement steps you must complete. 

To ensure that everything is going well and your baby has adjusted to their new home after placement, your adoption social worker will check in with you. These are known as post-placement visits.

Step 7: Attend the Adoption Finalization Hearing

During the adoption finalization, you’ll appear before a judge who will review your adoption case. They’ll confirm that you took all the required steps of the adoption process in Texas.

Then, your judge will sign the adoption decree. You are now officially a parent.  

How to Start the Adoption Process in Texas with American Adoptions

If you’re ready to start the adoption process in Texas, then American Adoptions would love to offer our support. We’ll do whatever it takes to provide the support you need during your adoption experience.

To get more free information now, call us at 1-800-ADOPTION or fill out our online contact form.

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