How to Adopt a Baby in South Carolina [Complete Guide]

For many hopeful families in South Carolina, adoption represents the beginning of a long-awaited dream.

You may be wondering how private adoption works, what the steps look like, and how to make the process as smooth as possible. You deserve clear answers and guidance that gives you the confidence to move forward.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to adopt a baby in South Carolina, including requirements, timelines, costs and more. Whether you’re exploring your options or ready to take the next step, you can get free information today.

How to Adopt a Baby in South Carolina [5 Steps to Parenthood]

At American Adoptions, we’ve helped thousands of families bring children into their lives through private domestic adoption.

Below, we outline the five essential steps to adopting a baby in South Carolina so you know exactly what to expect.

Step 1. Contact an Adoption Agency

Your first step is choosing the right adoption professional. Working with a fully licensed, national agency like American Adoptions ensures you receive comprehensive support from start to finish.

Our team will walk you through South Carolina’s adoption laws and answer your questions. With 13,000+ successful placements, we know how to help you reach your goal.

Speak with an adoption specialist today.

Step 2. Become an Active Family

Before your profile can be shown to expectant parents, you’ll need to complete three important steps:

Adoption Planning Questionnaire: This form defines what types of adoption situations you’re comfortable with.
Adoption Home Study: A licensed social worker will perform background checks, gather documents, inspect your home and interview each household member.
Adoptive Family Profile: This is how expectant parents learn about you. Our team helps you create a video and print profile that shares your story in a meaningful way.

Step 3. Be Chosen by a Prospective Birth Mother

In private adoption, the expectant parent chooses the adoptive family. When your profile is live, our national advertising ensures more pregnant women see it. If a woman selects your family, you may begin getting to know one another through calls, messages or even in-person meetings.

Step 4. Meet Your Baby

As the hospital stay approaches, your adoption specialist will keep you updated. You may be invited to be present for the birth or meet your child shortly after delivery.

Step 5. Finalize the Adoption

Finalization is the last legal step. A judge will review your case and issue the final decree of adoption, making your child an official member of your family.

In an open adoption, your relationship with the birth parents can continue to grow even after finalization.

Who Can Adopt a Baby in South Carolina?

Our agency ensures stable, loving homes for adopted children. To work with American Adoptions, hopeful families must:

Be married for at least two years
Be between the ages of 25 and 50
Have no more than two children already living in the home

Learn more about South Carolina's adoption requirements.

How American Adoptions Helps Families Succeed

Choosing the right agency is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. With American Adoptions, you get:

A licensed adoption professional
Unlike unlicensed organizations that may overpromise and under deliver, American Adoptions is independently reviewed, follows all state laws and upholds the highest standards of practice.
Honest wait times
American Adoptions utilizes a wide-reaching marketing strategy to connect adoptive families with prospective birth mothers nationwide, reducing wait times.
Financial protection
In the event of an adoption disruption, the money you put into your adoption will be refunded back to you to use how you deem fit, rather than rolled over into future adoption journeys.

Understanding Adoption Costs in South Carolina

How much does it cost to adopt a baby? Private adoption expenses typically include:

Agency fees
Medical costs for the expectant mother and child
Legal fees
Advertising and matching services
Expectant parent living expenses (learn more)

We provide detailed cost estimates and protect your investment with our Risk-Sharing Program. If your adoption opportunity doesn’t work out, we refund your post-activation fees. This allows you to make the best decision for your family.

Worried About Affording Adoption? You Have Options

Are you asking yourself, "How can I afford adoption?" Know that you’re not alone. We can help you build a financial plan that includes:

Adoption grants
Low-interest loans
Fundraising
Employer benefits
The federal adoption tax credit

You don’t have to figure it out alone. Our team helps you explore every available adoption financing option.

How Long Does It Take to Adopt a Baby in South Carolina?

Wait times vary based on your agency, preferences and openness. That said, our wait time is average of 12 months.

Because American Adoptions invests heavily in nationwide advertising, your profile reaches more prospective birth parents, leading to significantly shorter wait times than low-marketing agencies.

Unlicensed adoption professionals aren’t monitored by any governing body and can mislead families about wait times and costs. American Adoptions is fully licensed, which means you receive transparent service.

Local adoption opportunities fluctuate, but national agencies have broader reach and data to provide more accurate and consistent wait time estimates.

Why It’s So Important to Complete Your Home Study Early

Your adoption home study includes background checks, document collection, home inspections and personal interviews with each member of your household.

It’s the first step toward becoming eligible to adopt and can take several weeks or months to complete. Starting early prevents unnecessary delays.

Although American Adoptions isn’t licensed to complete home studies in South Carolina, we can connect you with trusted local providers.

Find a home study professional in South Carolina.

When Is Adoption Finalized in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, finalization usually takes place about six months after placement. During a court hearing, the judge confirms that the adoption process followed all legal guidelines.

Learn more about finalization in South Carolina.

Other Adoption Laws in South Carolina

Here are a few important adoption laws to know in South Carolina:

Home Study Requirements: Every household member will need to be part of the entire home study. Additionally, the state requires agencies to evaluate whether the prospective parent has completed a course or counseling in preparation for adoption.
Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA): This federal law ensures that Native American children maintain connections to their cultural heritage and tribal communities. If a child is a member of a federally recognized tribe, or eligible for membership, ICWA provides specific protections.
Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC): The ICPC is a legal agreement between all 50 states that ensures children adopted across state lines are placed in safe homes.
Post-Adoption Contact Agreement: These are not legally enforceable in South Carolina, but families are encouraged to stay in touch due to the many benefits of open adoption.

Explore more South Carolina adoption laws.

Adoption Attorneys Near Me

An adoption attorney plays a vital role by ensuring all legal requirements are met. These trusted professionals are part of our national network and members of the American Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproductive Attorneys (AAAA):

Building Families (Columbia and Greenville): Allison McNair founded her firm in 2014 to support adoption and surrogacy clients.
Thompson Dove Law Group LLC (Spartanburg): Attorneys James Fletcher Thompson and Dale Dove bring decades of combined experience to this South Carolina-based firm, which focuses on adoption and assisted reproduction law.
Brinkley Law Firm LLC (Charleston): Stephanie Brinkley founded her firm in 2011 and helps families grow through adoption and assisted reproduction technology.

Different Types of Adoption in South Carolina and How They Compare to Private Adoption

Private domestic adoption is one of several paths you can take. Some families also consider foster care and international adoption. Each type differs in terms of process, goals, cost and the age of the child placed.

Private Domestic	Foster Care	International
Permanent placement	Reunification if possible	Placement of a child from another country
Newborn	0-18 years old	Varies
average of 12 months	Up to 5 years	1-5 years
Agency-assisted	State-run	International laws; agency-assisted

FAQ About Adopting a Baby in South Carolina

Can birth mothers change their mind in South Carolina?

No. Once written consent is given, it’s generally binding. Consent can only be revoked by court order if it’s in the child’s best interests and the original consent was not voluntary or was obtained through coercion.

Is there an adoption tax credit in South Carolina?

No. South Carolina doesn’t offer a state tax credit, but the federal adoption tax credit helps families deduct qualified adoption expenses.

Is it hard for a gay couple to adopt a baby?

No. American Adoptions proudly supports all families, including LGBTQ+ couples. Read about our inclusive services.

Are adoptive parents on the birth certificate in South Carolina?

Yes. After finalization, adoptive parents’ names are listed on the amended birth certificate. Processing typically takes about four weeks.

Are open adoptions legally enforceable in South Carolina?

No. But while post-adoption contact agreements aren’t legally enforceable, ongoing communication is encouraged. We ask adoptive families to commit to sending photos and letters and planning at least one visit in the first five years.

Don’t Wait Any Longer — Adopt a Baby in South Carolina Today

If you’re ready to grow your family through adoption, American Adoptions is here to support you. From your first call to finalization, our team provides the guidance and peace of mind you need.

Get free adoption information now.

Disclaimer
Information available through these links is the sole property of the companies and organizations listed therein. American Adoptions provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.

Request Free Information