FAQs: Adoption Agencies in Florida

An adoption home study is an overall assessment of your home and family. This process includes, but is not limited to background checks, personal interviews, and a home inspection as well as physician reports, personal and employee references and proof of financial stability. 

Prior to a child or infant being placed in your home, your family must have an approved home study, conducted by a licensed home study provider. If you are a FL resident, our Florida adoption agency is happy to complete your home study. If you reside outside of Florida,  we can assist you in locating  a licensed home study provider in your area.

When our Florida adoption agency begins the matching process, we look at what our Expectant/Birth Parents are looking for in a family, along with what situations our adoptive families are comfortable with. We will always reach out to you first to make sure you are available and willing to present your profile book, based upon the individual situation.

An adoption profile book is a photo book about your family and life. This book allows Expectant/Birth Parents to see a glimpse into why you chose adoption, your home life, interests, hopes for your future child, etc. There are many options when creating your adoption profile book, and our Florida adoption agency is happy to assist you along the way. 

After the child is legally placed into your care, the process typically takes  4-6 months to finalize. Each adoption is different and some may have special circumstances which result in the adoption taking longer to be finalized. Our Florida adoption agency will advocate for you every step of the way. At the time of placement, a My Florida Adoptions legal representative will provide a tentative schedule for the finalization of your adoption.

The fees associated with adoption vary throughout the state.  Feel free to contact our Port Richey, Clearwater, or Tampa adoption agency office regarding our adoption fees.   Keep in mind that there are many resources available for adoptive families who need financial assistance, including adoption grants and fundraising opportunities.

Yes, state law requires that adoption agencies in Florida provide all known medical history about the birth parents and the child’s delivery. Our Florida adoption agency obtains self-reported medical and social history from each birth parent, as well as prenatal records (if available) and birth and delivery records, following delivery. 

You will take legal placement of the child following the execution of the consent to adoption by the birth parent(s).

For an infant under six months of age, once the consent is signed, it is binding and irrevocable upon execution. If the infant is over six months of age, the parent has three days to revoke their consent.

Florida law is very specific as to the obligations and rights which an identified father has in the adoption process. An unmarried biological father must undertake specific steps as outlined by Florida law to protect his right to notice and consent to the adoption. The failure to complete these specified steps are presented to the Court as a ground to terminate the father’s rights. Each case is unique and the specifics will be shared with you by our Florida adoption agency at the time of the adoption match.

Openness in adoption varies case by case; however, a typical adoption includes picture and letter updates to the Birth Parent(s).  An open adoption would include direct communication and/or visits with the Birth Parent(s).  Most adoption agencies in Florida match clients based upon mutual levels of openness.