If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy, you might be wondering if giving your baby up for adoption in Kentucky is the right path.

It's okay to feel unsure right now. Whether you’re still thinking through your options or starting to lean toward adoption, it’s normal to have a lot of questions.

In this guide, we'll walk you through every step of the adoption process in Kentucky. You’ll learn how adoption works, the services you can get for free and how to find the perfect family for your baby.

When you’re ready, you can contact an adoption specialist online or call 1-800-ADOPTION to learn more.

How to Give a Baby Up for Adoption in Kentucky

If you’re thinking about putting a newborn up for adoption, the process may seem intimidating. But with the right support, you can feel confident in every step you take.

Here’s how to place a baby for adoption in Kentucky:

Step 1: Contact an Adoption Agency

The first step is to find a licensed agency. With more than 30 years of experience, American Adoptions has helped thousands of women like you navigate adoption.

You are in control of your adoption journey. Every decision is entirely up to you. Your adoption specialist will walk beside you, offering support, answers and encouragement whenever you need it.

Step 2: Create an Adoption Plan

Your adoption plan is your roadmap. It reflects your values and preferences. You decide:

• What kind of family you want for your baby

• How much contact you want before and after the adoption

• What your hospital experience should be like

Your specialist will help you create this plan and make sure everyone follows it.

Step 3: Choose the Perfect Family for Your Baby

You alone get to choose the right family for your baby.

American Adoptions gives you access to hundreds of fully screened adoptive families from across the country. Each family has completed background checks and a home study. You can view their print and video profiles online.

Step 4: Get to Know the Adoptive Family

Today, it's common for expectant parents to get to know the adoptive family before placement. Open communication helps you build a relationship and gives you confidence in your decision.

Some ways you might get to know each other include:

• Phone or video calls

• Emails, texts or social media messages

• In-person meetings or hospital time together

Step 5: Complete the Legal Steps for Adoption

When the time comes, your adoption specialist will help you make a hospital plan.

In Kentucky, you must wait at least 72 hours after birth before you can consent to adoption. Your attorney and adoption specialist will ensure you understand each part of the process and feel confident before signing the adoption paperwork.

After placement, you can continue building a relationship with your baby and their adoptive family. Choosing open adoption means you don't have to say goodbye.

What if My Baby Is Already Born?

It’s never too late to choose adoption for your baby. Whether you’re still at the hospital, already home or have been parenting for weeks or months, you can still make an adoption plan.

Your adoption specialist will guide you through the process and help you find a loving family. Call 1-800-ADOPTION to get immediate help with adoption and pregnancy.

Free Adoption Services You May Not Know About in Kentucky

Does putting your baby up for adoption cost money? No. In fact, our agency offers a wide range of free services to support you:

You deserve to have someone by your side who can support you emotionally, legally and financially while you focus on a healthy pregnancy and finding the right family.

Do You Get Paid for Giving Your Baby Up for Adoption in Kentucky?

While you can't get paid for adoption, you can receive financial help to cover your living expenses during pregnancy.

According to Kentucky law, you could get assistance with

• Medical costs

• Legal services

• Living expenses such as rent and utilities

• Transportation

• Maternity clothing

• And more

Your adoption specialist will guide you through the process of applying for financial support so you can focus on your well-being.

Learn more about adoption financial assistance in Kentucky.

Is it Wrong to Give My Baby Up for Adoption?

You might be struggling with guilt or wondering, "Did you regret giving your baby up for adoption?" These feelings are valid, but adoption is a brave and loving decision.

Many women who choose adoption say it was the best choice they could have made.

Not sure how you will react to giving your baby up for adoption? Remember: You are not giving up. You are giving more — more love, more opportunity and a brighter future.

How to Choose an Adoptive Family in Kentucky

Choosing a family is one of the most meaningful steps in the adoption process. The adoptive parents you choose will play a key role in shaping your baby’s future.

Here are some things to consider when viewing profiles:

• Do you want them to live in Kentucky or another state?

• What are their values and lifestyle?

• Do they already have children?

• What kind of contact are they open to?

At American Adoptions, every family is thoroughly screened and committed to open adoption. We ensure that each family is prepared to exchange photos and letters and meet in person, if that’s something you want.

When you're ready, you can view profiles of families waiting to adopt.

Adoption at the Hospital: How Do You Make a Hospital Plan?

Your hospital plan outlines every detail of labor and delivery. Your adoption specialist will work closely with hospital staff and the adoptive family to make sure your wishes are understood and respected throughout your stay.

You decide:

• Who’s with you during labor and delivery

• Who holds your baby first

• When the adoptive family meets the baby

• How goodbyes are handled

We’ll be there to support you before, during and after delivery.

What About the Birth Father?

You might wonder if giving a baby up for adoption without the father's consent is possible.

Here's what you should know about Kentucky's birth father laws:

• A supportive father can voluntarily consent to adoption after 72 hours post-birth.

• An unmarried father must register to establish paternity and be notified about adoption proceedings.

• If he is absent, unresponsive or unfit, the court may move forward without his consent.

Talk about your situation with your adoption specialist. We can help you understand your rights and connect you with legal help.

Learn more about birth father rights in adoption in Kentucky.

More Kentucky Adoption Laws You’ll Need to Know About

Kentucky adoption laws include:

• You must wait 72 hours after birth to sign consent forms.

• Your petition must be filed in the right court depending on your or the child’s residence.

Your attorney and specialist will walk you through every legal detail.

Ongoing Support After Giving Baby Up for Adoption

Adoption doesn’t end when you leave the hospital. American Adoptions continues to support you through:

• Post-placement counseling to help you process your emotions

• Open adoption support to keep your connection with the adoptive family strong

• Continued financial assistance based on your needs and court approval

Is Giving My Baby Up for Adoption in Kentucky Right for Me?

Adoption is a deeply personal decision. If you’re considering the pros and cons of giving your baby up for adoption, your adoption specialist is always just a phone call away.

 

You deserve to feel confident in your choice. If adoption seems like the right step for you, we can help. Contact us today or call 1-800-ADOPTION to speak with an experienced adoption specialist.

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