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

Bringing a child into your family through adoption is a life-changing experience.

Maybe you’re just starting to research your options, or maybe you’ve been thinking about adopting a baby in South Dakota for a long time. No matter where you are in your journey, it’s normal to feel excited, nervous and curious.

In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about private adoption in South Dakota. When you're ready to move forward, fill out our online form to get personalized guidance.

How to Adopt a Baby in South Dakota: 5 Steps to Parenthood

Growing your family through private adoption is one of the most rewarding decisions you can make. At American Adoptions, we’re here to guide you through each step with confidence and support.

Here's is a breakdown of the adoption process:

Step 1. Contact an Adoption Agency

Working with an experienced agency is one of the best ways to ensure a safe, legal and smooth adoption process. American Adoptions serves families and pregnant women nationwide and networks with hundreds of adoption professionals across the country to provide you with the best services and support.

Ready to get started? Contact us today to speak with an adoption specialist.

Step 2. Become an Active Family

Before you can be chosen by an expectant mother, you'll need to:

Complete your Adoption Planning Questionnaire. This helps define what types of adoption opportunities you're open to.
Finish your adoption home study. The home study is an evaluation that includes background checks, document gathering, home inspections and interviews.
Create your family profile. Your adoptive family profile features photos, letters and a video to help expectant parents get to know you.

Step 3. Be Chosen by a Prospective Birth Mother

In private domestic adoption, the expectant mother chooses the adoptive family. If she’s open to it, you can begin building a relationship through phone calls, video chats or in-person meetings. Learning how open adoption works can help you feel prepared for this connection.

Step 4. Meet Your Baby

As the hospital stay approaches, you’ll receive updates to help you prepare. Depending on the expectant mother's wishes, you might be invited to the hospital for the birth or meet your baby shortly afterward.

Step 5. Finalize the Adoption

When is an adoption finalized? In South Dakota, finalization typically occurs about six months after placement. During this time, you’ll complete post-placement visits. After finalization, you can maintain ongoing contact with the birth family (if agreed upon).

Who Can Adopt a Baby in South Dakota?

To ensure every child is placed in a safe, stable home, American Adoptions requires prospective parents to meet a few guidelines:

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

Learn more about adoption requirements in South Dakota.

How American Adoptions Supports You: Why Families Trust Us

Choosing the right agency can make all the difference. With over 13,000 successful adoptions, American Adoptions offers everything you need.

Here's what you should know about our services:

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 Dakota

You may be wondering, "How much does it cost to adopt a baby?" In private adoption, typical adoption costs include:

Agency fees
Expectant parent living expenses (learn more)
Legal expenses
Medical costs
Advertising and outreach

We provide detailed cost estimates upfront and offer financial protection through our Risk-Sharing Program. If your adoption doesn’t go as planned, we'll refund 100% of your post-activation funds.

Worried About Affording Adoption? You Have Options

We understand that determining how to afford adoption is a real concern. That’s why we help families explore options like:

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

You don’t have to figure this out alone — our team will guide you to the right financial resources.

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

Adoption wait times vary depending on preferences and openness. Our national advertising strategies mean you’ll be seen by more expectant mothers, which can significantly shorten your wait. Right now, 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

The adoption home study is a critical step in the process. It includes:

Background checks
Document gathering
Home safety inspections
Personal interviews

While American Adoptions is not licensed to complete home studies in South Dakota, we can connect you with trusted providers.

Find a local home study provider today.

When Is Adoption Finalized in South Dakota?

Adoption is finalized after you complete all post-placement requirements and appear in court for a finalization hearing.

Learn more about finalization in South Dakota.

Other Adoption Laws in South Dakota

Adoption laws can vary from state to state. Here are some important legal considerations to be aware of if you are planning to adopt in South Dakota:

Home Study Requirements: In South Dakota, all household members aged 10 and older must undergo background screening as part of the home study process. Additionally, proof of immunization is required for all minors.
Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA): The ICWA is a federal law designed to protect the best interests of Native American children. It ensures that their cultural connections are preserved by giving tribal governments a strong voice in adoption proceedings involving Native American children.
Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC): The ICPC regulates the placement of children across state lines to ensure that interstate adoptions are legally and safely conducted.
Post-Adoption Contact Agreement: These agreements outline ongoing communication between adoptive families and birth families. However, they are not legally enforceable in South Dakota.

Learn more about adoption laws in South Dakota.

Adoption Attorneys Near Me

An adoption attorney ensures all legal requirements are met. To help you complete this important step, we recommend the following professionals who are part of our trusted network. They are members of the American Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproductive Attorneys (AAAA) and licensed to practice in South Dakota:

Gehling Osborn Law Firm PLC (Sioux City, IA): Emilee Gehling is an experienced adoption and fertility law attorney who helps adoptive families grow through compassionate legal guidance.
Buckmeier Law (Sioux City, IA): Maxine Buckmeier has over 37 years of experience handling private domestic adoptions.

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

You have several options when it comes to adoption: private domestic, foster care and international adoption. Here’s how each compares:

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 Dakota

Can birth mothers change their mind in South Dakota?

No. Once a birth mother’s consent is given and the adoption is finalized, she cannot revoke her consent except in very rare cases involving fraud or situations governed by the ICWA.

Is there an adoption tax credit in South Dakota?

No. South Dakota does not offer a state-level tax credit. However, adoptive families can utilize the federal adoption tax credit to help offset costs.

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

No. American Adoptions proudly supports LGBTQ+ families in their adoption journeys.

Are adoptive parents on the birth certificate in South Dakota?

Yes. After finalization, a new birth certificate is issued with the adoptive parents’ names. Processing times vary depending on if you drop off your documents or mail them.

Are open adoptions legally enforceable in South Dakota?

No. In South Dakota, open adoption agreements are not legally enforceable. However, we encourage open adoption because it benefits everyone involved. We ask hopeful parents to be open to sending photos and letters as well as scheduling at least one visit before the child’s fifth birthday.

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

Your dream of becoming a parent is within reach. With the right support and guidance, your family-building journey can start today.

Fill out our form to connect with an adoption specialist.

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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.

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