You can choose adoption at any point during your pregnancy, immediately after giving birth at the hospital, or even after taking your baby home in Nevada. With the right support from a licensed adoption agency, you can create a safe adoption plan — whether you're just finding out you're pregnant or your baby is already several months old.

Below, we'll walk you through exactly when adoption becomes an option in Nevada, what the state's consent and revocation laws mean for you, and how American Adoptions can support you at every stage of this deeply personal decision.

When Can I Give My Baby Up for Adoption in Nevada?

The short answer: you have options at every stage.

Nevada law allows you to begin making an adoption plan while you're still pregnant, finalize your decision at the hospital after delivery, or choose adoption days, weeks, or even months after bringing your baby home. There's no single "right time"—only the timeline that feels right for you.

Choosing Adoption While You're Still Pregnant

Many birth parents find that planning ahead brings a sense of control during an uncertain time.

When you start the adoption process during pregnancy, you have time to:

• Browse waiting family profiles and choose the adoptive parents yourself
• Create a personalized adoption plan that reflects your wishes for hospital visits, contact after placement, and more
• Receive financial assistance for pregnancy-related expenses like rent, utilities, groceries, and medical bills (where Nevada law allows)
• Build a relationship with the adoptive family before your baby arrives

Starting early doesn't mean you're locked in. You can change your mind at any point before signing legal consent after birth. But it does give you space to make informed decisions without the pressure of a hospital timeline.

Learn more about the next steps of adoption.

Can I Choose Adoption Right from the Hospital?

Yes. If you didn't plan ahead but realize at the hospital that adoption is the right choice, you're not alone—and you're not too late.

Here's what typically happens:

When you tell hospital staff about your adoption decision, they'll contact an adoption professional who can come to the hospital to explain your options. American Adoptions offers 24/7 support, so you'll have someone by your side quickly—even if you're in labor or have just delivered.

You won't sign legal consent immediately. Nevada law requires a waiting period after birth before you can legally consent to adoption. This gives you time to hold your baby, think through your decision, and receive counseling if you need it.

The adoptive family can be at the hospital if you want them there, or you can have privacy. You decide how much contact feels right.

Nevada Consent Timing: You can sign relinquishment papers 72 hours (3 days) after your baby's birth or after you're discharged from the hospital.

What happens during same-day hospital adoptions?

It's Not Too Late: Choosing Adoption After Birth

What if you've already taken your baby home?

You can still choose adoption in Nevada, whether your baby is a few days old or several months old. Many birth parents need time after delivery to fully understand what parenting will require—and that's okay.

American Adoptions has helped birth parents place babies weeks and even months after birth. The process looks similar to hospital placements, but with a few additional steps:

• You'll work with an adoption specialist to create a plan and find the right family
• The agency will arrange safe, legal placement of your baby with the adoptive family
• You'll still receive counseling, legal support, and help with expenses where allowed by law

Making this decision after bringing your baby home doesn't make you a bad parent. It makes you someone who's prioritizing your child's wellbeing—even when it's incredibly hard.

The Nevada Adoption Laws Every Birth Parent Should Know

Nevada's adoption laws exist to protect you. Here's what matters most:

When You Can Sign Consent:

• Not before: 72 hours after birth or hospital discharge
• Why it matters: This waiting period ensures you're physically recovered and thinking clearly

Can You Change Your Mind?

• Once you sign your consent to adoption in Nevada, it's generally considered final and irrevocable
• However, consent can be challenged in court if it was obtained through fraud, duress, or undue influence
• This is why working with a licensed agency matters—they ensure the process is ethical and legally sound

What About the Father? The biological father's rights depend on his level of involvement. An adoption attorney and your adoption agency will help you navigate this part of the process.

Am I Ready? Balancing Your Feelings with Legal Adoption Timelines

Legal eligibility and emotional readiness don't always align—and that's normal.

You might be legally able to sign consent at 72 hours postpartum, but emotionally, you might need more time. Or you might feel certain about adoption during pregnancy, then have doubts after delivery.

Give yourself permission to feel conflicted. Adoption is a profound decision, and ambivalence doesn't mean you're making the wrong choice—it means you're human.

American Adoptions offers free, judgment-free counseling throughout your decision-making process. You can talk through your fears, ask hard questions, and take as much time as you need to feel confident.

Remember: choosing adoption isn't about perfect certainty. It's about making the best decision you can with the information and resources you have right now.

How American Adoptions Supports You at Every Step

Next Steps: Talking With an Adoption Specialist

If you're reading this, you're probably wondering what happens next.

The next step is simple: reach out.

You're not committing to anything by calling. You're just starting a conversation with someone who understands what you're going through and can explain your options without judgment or pressure.

Whether you're still pregnant, at the hospital right now, or have already brought your baby home, an adoption specialist is ready to listen and help.

You don't have to figure this out alone. Let us walk with you.

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