Adoptive Family Articles

How Do Children Feel About Being Adopted?
By placing your baby for adoption, you can give them a lifetime of love and opportunity.

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Susan Mars' Adoption Story
When I was growing up, all I really wanted to do was marry the man of my dreams and start a family. I married the man of my dreams, but the family part was not able to be — at least not biologically, the way most people plan. ...

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Ted Mars' Adoption Story
My wife and I were not blessed with the ability to bear children. We were pregnant eight times, and each time there was a problem, causing my wife to lose the baby. I promised myself that if I was ever allowed to become a father, I would do the very best I could do as a parent.

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Adoption Home Study

Adoption Home Study Process

Learn what a home study is and why you need one to adopt a child.

Home Study Questions and Answers

While adoption home studies vary slightly from agency to agency and state to state, there are several key elements that are almost always included in every home study.

Home Studies: State by State

Find a qualified professional in your state to complete your home study.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do we need to retain our own attorney?

No, American Adoptions has established relationships with some of the best adoption attorneys in the nation. Because adoption laws vary from state to state and between counties, it is important to utilize the services of an adoption attorney who specializes in the state where the adoption will finalize, which is unknown until you match with an expectant mother. You have the right to retain your own attorney, but doing so may be an additional, unnecessary expense.

Can we choose the gender of our baby?

American Adoptions does not allow gender specificity in adoption. Any family who wishes to be gender-specific in their adoption should contact us at 1-800-ADOPTION and ask about the possibility of an exception waiver before taking any other steps toward adoption with our agency. Any families who do receive an exception to be gender-specific may also incur an additional fee, which helps cover the additional advertising costs of such a request.

Please note that gender specificity will likely increase your wait time significantly.

Additional Resources

Adoption Newsletter

Did you know that American Adoptions offers a free bi-weekly e-newsletter? Sign up today to keep up-to-date on the latest in adoption news and information.

Famous Adoptions

Learn which famous Hollywood actors, sports stars, politicians and other icons have been touched by adoption.

Adoption Glossary

Do adoption terms and phrases leave you feeling confused? Learn the meaning to key adoption words and phrases with our comprehensive adoption glossary.

Ted Mars' Adoption Story

Ted Mars, father of American Adoptions' founder Scott Mars, shares how adoption changed his world in ways he could have never imagined.

Read the Story