After you sign consent to adoption in Connecticut, your baby is discharged from the hospital directly into the care of the adoptive family you chose. The legal transfer of custody happens through Connecticut's court system, where a judge formally terminates your parental rights and grants custody to the adoptive parents.

This first handoff means your baby goes straight to their new home—never to foster care or temporary placement.

With this process in place, you can move forward knowing your child will have the stable, loving home you want for them from day one.

Contact us to speak with an adoption specialist today and get answers to any questions you might have about your specific situation. Our team is available 24/7 to walk you through the process.

Who Takes Care of My Baby After Adoption Consent?

The adoptive family you personally selected will care for your baby after you provide consent, though the exact timing of placement is entirely up to you. Whether you want to spend time with your newborn at the hospital or have placement happen right away, the decision belongs to you.

Connecticut requires that adoptive parents complete extensive vetting through home studies and background checks before they can be matched with you. This means your child will be placed with a family that's already been approved as safe and stable by state-licensed professionals.

Your baby will never enter foster care. Connecticut law requires hospitals to arrange the physical transfer through the adoption agency, with adoptive parents present at discharge when approved. American Adoptions works exclusively with pre-screened families, ensuring your child goes directly to the loving home you chose.

Many birth mothers choose hospital placement. Others take their baby home for a period before placement. The adoptive family will be thoroughly prepared to welcome your child whenever you're ready.

How Adoptive Families Are Screened and Approved Before Adoption

Every family in our waiting family profiles has completed a rigorous approval process before you review them. This multi-step screening protects your baby's future and gives you confidence in your decision.

Connecticut requires adoptive parents to undergo a home study conducted by a licensed social worker. During this process, families provide:

• Criminal background checks for all household members
• Financial documentation proving they can provide for a child
• Medical records confirming physical and mental health stability
• Personal references from friends, family, and employers
• Home safety inspections ensuring a child-appropriate environment

Connecticut regulations require at least two face-to-face interviews—one with the couple together and individual interviews with each applicant.

Additionally, Connecticut adoptive parents complete a 10-week training program that covers adoption education and preparation. Some agencies also provide specialized training on topics like transracial adoption.

This thorough vetting process typically takes three to six months to complete. By the time you review potential families, you know that each one has already been approved by state-licensed professionals who evaluated their ability to provide a loving, secure home.

Adoption Finalization and Parental Rights in Connecticut

The legal process begins when you sign your consent to adoption, but Connecticut's Probate Court must issue a final decree before the adoption becomes permanent.

The final adoption decree legally transfers all rights and responsibilities from you to the adoptive parents, establishing a permanent legal relationship between them and your child.

Here's how the Connecticut adoption timeline typically works:

• 48 hours after birth: You can sign consent to adoption
• 30 days after signing: Consent becomes binding (unless you prove fraud or duress)
• 6 months to 1 year after placement: Court finalizes the adoption in most cases
• At finalization: Your child receives a new birth certificate and the adoption becomes permanent

The court reviews home study reports, consent documents, and post-placement supervision records before issuing the final decree. The 30-day reflection period offers you time to be certain of your decision while protecting your baby's stability.

After finalization, the adoption becomes a permanent legal relationship that cannot be reversed.

Want to Stay in Touch? How Open Adoption Works

You can maintain contact with your child and their adoptive family through open adoption arrangements in Connecticut. The level of ongoing contact depends entirely on what you and the adoptive family agree upon, giving you control over this important aspect of your baby's future.

Open adoption in Connecticut allows birth parents and adoptive families to exchange letters, photos, emails, phone calls, or even in-person visits.

American Adoptions helps you find an adoptive family in Connecticut who shares your contact preferences. During the matching process, you'll discuss communication expectations openly with potential families to ensure both parties agree on how to maintain connection as your child grows.

Here’s how open adoption can benefit everyone:

• Your child's emotional development and identity formation are supported through ongoing contact
• Children have fewer questions about their origins and stronger self-esteem
• Medical history can be shared as needed throughout your child's life
• Your child grows up knowing they were loved by their birth family and chosen by their adoptive family

Are Post-Adoption Contact Agreements Enforceable in Connecticut?

Connecticut law allows for legally enforceable post-adoption contact agreements under Connecticut General Statutes § 45a-715(h). For an agreement to be valid, it must be in writing, voluntarily signed by both the adoptive parents and birth relatives, and approved by the court as being in the child's best interest.

At American Adoptions we facilitate these arrangements through our post-adoption services. We help navigate any concerns that arise and ensure your child benefits from knowing their full story.

Life After Adoption: Support Available for Birth Parents

American Adoptions continues supporting you long after finalization of your Connecticut adoption. The lifelong impact on identity affects both you and your child, and our services address the ongoing emotional needs that adoption creates.

Here's the support available to you:

• Post-adoption counseling: Licensed therapists who specialize in adoption-related grief, loss, and healing provide confidential support at no cost for as long as you need it
• Contact mediation: We facilitate conversations when the adoptive family's circumstances change or contact frequency needs adjustment, protecting the relationships that matter most to your child
• Support groups: Connect with other birth mothers who understand the unique emotions of adoption, providing validation, encouragement, and lasting friendships
• Medical history retention: Your child's medical information remains accessible through our records, ensuring they benefit from complete health records as questions arise throughout their life

How American Adoptions Supports You through Your Connecticut Adoption Journey

Choosing adoption in Connecticut means partnering with professionals who guide you through the process. We provide comprehensive support services that address your practical needs and emotional wellbeing.

Here's how we support you:

• 24/7 personal adoption specialist: Your dedicated professional answers questions, coordinates services, and advocates for your needs during the birth mother adoption process—you'll never navigate this journey alone
• Free medical care: We ensure you and your baby receive proper prenatal treatment throughout your pregnancy, regardless of your insurance status
• Free legal services: Experienced adoption attorneys protect your rights and explain Connecticut's adoption laws in plain language you can understand
• Living expenses: Financial assistance covers your expenses while you're pregnant and for up to six weeks after placement, letting you focus on your health and future rather than immediate survival

You don't have to have everything figured out. Your baby's future can be bright and full of love, and you can feel confident about the path ahead.

Our team is available 24/7 to answer your questions about adoption in Connecticut, explain your options, and help you create the best possible future for you and your child.

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