Thinking about adopting a baby in Louisiana? The adoption process can feel large and intimidating. If you feel stuck, or unsure how to get started, you're in the right place. 

This guide will help you understand how it works and what you’ll need to do. Whether you’re just starting to think about adoption or already looking into your options, this page is designed to give you clear answers and help you feel confident about what’s ahead.

At American Adoptions, we’ve worked with thousands of families — including many here in Louisiana — to help them grow through adoption.

Adoption can be emotional and sometimes confusing, but we’re here to make the process easier to understand and easier to manage. We'll show you how adoption works in Louisiana, who you’ll work with, how much it might cost, and how long it could take.

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5 Steps to Adopt a Baby in Louisiana

If you're just beginning to explore adoption in Louisiana, you're probably wondering what steps come first and how to move forward with confidence. This overview breaks the process into clear, manageable steps so you can better understand how to adopt a baby in Louisiana and feel more prepared at each stage.

Whether you're years away or ready to start now, these five steps are the foundation of every successful adoption journey.

Step 1: Contact an Adoption Agency

Start by reaching out to a licensed agency like American Adoptions. Making that first call or sending that first message can feel intimidating, but we’re here to make it easy and welcoming.

When you contact us, you’ll talk to a caring adoption specialist who will explain how the process works in Louisiana, listen to your goals and concerns, and answer any questions you might have — without pressure or obligation.

Our agency offers expert guidance, 24/7 support, and decades of experience helping families navigate every step of the adoption journey. From your very first question to the day you bring your baby home, we’re here for you.

Talk to an Adoption Specialist

Step 2: Prepare to Be Matched

You’ll need to complete a few things first:

• Fill out an Adoption Planning Questionnaire (APQ)
• Finish your home study in Louisiana
• Make a family profile to show birth mothers who you are

Your profile helps a birth mother learn about your life, your values, and why you want to adopt. We’ll help you create a profile that’s genuine and heartfelt.

Step 3: Be Chosen by a Birth Mother

In most domestic infant adoptions, the birth mother has the right to choose the family she feels is the best fit for her child. When she selects your family, it marks the start of a unique and emotionally meaningful relationship. You may begin with phone calls, video chats, or even in-person meetings, depending on what both sides are comfortable with.

These early interactions are incredibly important — they help build trust, set expectations, and create the foundation for a positive adoption experience for everyone involved. Our adoption specialists will support and guide you throughout this time, helping you communicate with compassion and clarity as you get to know the person who made your family possible.

Learn more about open adoption communication.

Step 4: Meet Your Baby

We’ll work closely with you and the birth mother to create a hospital plan that outlines who will be present, how the delivery experience will unfold, and when placement will officially occur.

This plan helps everyone feel informed and emotionally prepared. In many cases, you may be invited to be at the hospital during labor, present for the birth, or meet your baby soon afterward — depending on the birth mother’s wishes.

No matter the arrangement, our team is there to make sure the experience is calm, respectful, and supportive for both families.

Step 5: Finalize Your Adoption

After your baby is placed with you, you’ll enter the post-placement stage — a critical time for checking in and ensuring everyone is adjusting well. During this time, a licensed social worker will visit your home several times to offer support, observe how your family is bonding, and document the child’s well-being.

These visits also give you a chance to ask questions, discuss any concerns, and receive helpful parenting guidance tailored to adoptive families.

Once those visits are complete and all reports are submitted, you’ll attend a court hearing where a Louisiana judge will officially finalize the adoption and grant you full parental rights. It’s an emotional and empowering moment — the legal confirmation of the family you’ve already become.

Who Can Adopt in Louisiana?

To adopt a child in Louisiana, you must meet a few key requirements that help ensure you’re ready to provide a safe, stable, and loving home. These guidelines help both the state and your adoption agency confirm that adoption is the right fit for your situation:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be single or legally married (married couples adopt together)
• Pass background checks
• Complete a home study
• Show that you’re financially able to care for a child

Adoption is open to people of all backgrounds, including LGBTQ+ families.

Louisiana Adoption Requirements

Why Work with American Adoptions?

We’ve helped thousands of families adopt — and we can help you, too. We’re a national agency with more than 30 years of experience. That means we bring big resources, plus the heart of a local team. We help families adopt safely, ethically, and with as little stress as possible.

What we offer:

• Nationwide marketing to help you match faster and connect with more birth mothers across the country
• Personalized support in creating your profile — we help you craft a story in both print and video that truly reflects who you are
• 24/7 support for birth parents, ensuring they feel heard and cared for throughout the process, which leads to better adoption experiences for everyone
• Full legal and emotional guidance from licensed professionals so you never feel lost, rushed, or unsupported
• Adoption Disruption Insurance that protects your financial investment in case a match doesn’t go through, giving you peace of mind while you wait

How Much Does Adoption Cost in Louisiana?

Adoption costs in Louisiana can vary depending on a number of factors, including the type of adoption you choose, how early you're matched with a birth mother, and what specific services your situation requires. While every adoption journey is different, most hopeful adoptive parents should be prepared to invest in the following:

• Legal services and court fees to cover document preparation, legal representation, and the finalization hearing
• Birth mother expenses such as rent, groceries, transportation, and medical costs, depending on her needs and state guidelines
• Pre- and post-placement counseling for both adoptive families and birth parents to ensure emotional health and readiness throughout the process
• Marketing and outreach, including the creation of a customized family profile and video that helps connect you with potential birth mothers

When you work with American Adoptions, we provide a full, detailed cost breakdown at the beginning of your journey. That way, you know exactly what to expect and can plan your adoption budget with clarity and peace of mind.

Help Paying for Adoption

Feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of adoption cost? Here’s how Louisiana families are getting the support they need.

Adoption can feel expensive, but there are a number of ways to make it more manageable — and we’re here to help you explore every option. Our team will work with you to build a personalized plan that fits your financial situation. Here are some common ways hopeful parents lower adoption costs:

• Grants and scholarships from private foundations and nonprofit organizations, often based on income or service background
• Employer reimbursement programs that cover part of the adoption expenses as an employee benefit
• Low-interest adoption loans, often offered through banks or credit unions with flexible payment plans
• Federal tax credits for adoption, worth up to $15,950 in 2023, which can help offset qualified adoption-related expenses
• Budgeting and fundraising ideas, such as community events, crowdfunding, or matching gift programs, to rally support from friends and family

How Long Does Adoption Take?

How long does it take to adopt — and what can you do to make the process faster? While every family's experience is unique, most adoptive parents working with American Adoptions are matched with a birth mother within 9 to 12 months.

That timeline can be shorter or longer depending on several key factors, including how open you are to different adoption situations (such as race, gender, or medical history), how quickly you complete your home study, and how soon your family profile is ready for birth mothers to view.

The more flexible and prepared you are, the more likely you are to be chosen sooner. Our team will help you optimize each step to reduce unnecessary delays and make sure you're ready when the right opportunity comes along.

Check out more about adoption wait times.

Why the Home Study Matters

The home study is one of the first — and most important — steps in the adoption process. It helps confirm that you’re prepared to provide a safe, stable, and loving home for a child. The process includes background checks for all adults in the home, home visits from a licensed social worker, and a series of interviews and training sessions about adoption.

Starting early is a smart move, because no family can be matched with a birth mother until their home study is complete. It can take several weeks or months, depending on your schedule and how quickly you gather the needed documents.

We can complete your home study if you're in a state where we’re licensed, or we’ll connect you to trusted local professionals who are qualified to help.

When Does Adoption Become Final?

After the post-placement visits are completed, your adoption moves into its final stage — a court hearing where everything becomes official. During this hearing, a Louisiana judge will review the case, confirm that all legal and emotional requirements have been met, and issue a final decree of adoption.

This is the moment you are legally recognized as your child's parent. It's often a deeply emotional day for adoptive families — one filled with joy, relief, and celebration. We'll help you prepare for the hearing so you feel confident and supported as you reach this meaningful milestone.

Learn More

Louisiana Adoption Laws You Should Know

Louisiana adoption law has a few important rules that affect how the process works for both adoptive families and birth parents:

• A home study is required for all prospective adoptive families to ensure a safe, stable environment for the child.
• Birth mothers may sign consent no sooner than 72 hours after birth, giving them time to reflect on their decision and ensuring it's made voluntarily.
• ICPC rules apply if you're adopting a child from a different state, ensuring that all legal steps are followed before the baby can travel.
• ICWA (Indian Child Welfare Act) applies if the child has Native American heritage, and the adoption must follow special procedures to protect tribal rights and cultural connections.
• Post-Adoption Contact Agreements (PACAs) — agreements about ongoing contact between birth and adoptive families — are not legally enforceable in Louisiana, but many families choose to honor them voluntarily out of mutual respect and commitment.

State Law Details

Louisiana Adoption Attorneys

While we’ll handle legal steps for you, here are some local attorneys who can help:

• Katherine M. Swanson, APLC – New Orleans
• Susan Hutson, Attorney – Baton Rouge
• William T. Allison, Attorney – Shreveport

Types of Adoption in Louisiana

Private Domestic Infant Adoption – Newborns placed through a licensed agency

Foster-to-Adopt – Adopting from the state’s foster care system

International Adoption – Adopting a child from another country

We’ll help you figure out which path is best for your family.

Common Questions About Adopting in Louisiana

• Can birth mothers change their minds? Yes — they can change their minds until they legally sign consent, which happens at least 72 hours after birth.
• Is there a tax credit? Louisiana doesn’t have a state credit, but the federal tax credit is available.
• Can LGBTQ+ families adopt? Yes, absolutely.
• Will we be on the birth certificate? Yes, once the adoption is finalized.
• Are open adoptions enforceable? Not legally, but many families maintain open contact by agreement.

Ready to Adopt a Baby in Louisiana?

Adoption is a big decision — but you don’t have to make it alone. We’ll support you with the experience and compassion you need to take the next step. Start your Louisiana adoption journey with confidence, clarity, and care, by contacting us today.

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