Right now, you might be unsure if adoption is the right choice. You may wonder if you've missed your window or if it's too soon. The truth is, there's no single "right time." You can give your baby up for adoption when you’re ready, whether that’s during pregnancy, at the hospital or weeks after coming home.

In Washington, the adoption process is designed to protect your rights while giving you the flexibility to make the best choice for your family. Below, we'll walk through the different timelines for choosing adoption, what Washington's laws say about parental consent for adoption and how American Adoptions supports you.

If you'd like to speak with someone right now about your options, fill out our form for free information or call 1-800-ADOPTION to speak with an adoption specialist.

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

You can choose adoption at any point: before your baby is born, at the hospital or after you've taken your baby home. There's no deadline for choosing a brighter future.

Choosing Adoption During Pregnancy

Many women find that planning adoption during pregnancy gives them time to make thoughtful decisions. You don't have to decide before delivery, but starting earlier can provide extra time for important steps.

Planning ahead gives you time to:

• You can review profiles and choose an adoptive family. You'll have time to find a family who shares your values and hopes for your baby's future and get to know them, if you want.

• You can create a personalized adoption plan. Your plan can outline your hospital preferences, the level of contact you want after placement and any other wishes you have for your adoption journey.

• You can receive financial support. Based on Washington's laws, you may receive help with pregnancy-related expenses like rent, utilities, groceries and medical bills.

You maintain the right to change your mind at any point before you sign consent paperwork. But for many women, the ability to plan ahead brings a sense of control during an uncertain time.

Making the Decision at the Hospital

You can put your baby up for adoption as soon as they're born. If you decide on adoption during delivery, here's what typically happens:

• Hospital coordination happens quickly. Once you let your adoption specialist know you'd like to move forward, they work with the hospital to ensure everyone understands your wishes.

• You decide how much time you want with your baby. Choosing adoption doesn't mean you're rushed out of the hospital or kept away from your child. Many birth mothers choose to hold, feed and care for their babies during those first hours or days.

• Legal consent follows a specific timeline. In Washington, you can sign parental consent for adoption after your baby is born in front of a witness. However, a judge won't review your paperwork until at least 48 hours have passed — either 48 hours from when you signed it or 48 hours from when your baby was born (whichever date comes later).

Placing Your Baby After Going Home

Maybe you brought your baby home thinking you'd find a way to make things work. Maybe you've been parenting for days, weeks or even months, and you're realizing that adoption is the right choice. Whatever your timeline, you can give your baby up for adoption after birth — it's not too late.

Here's what the process looks like when you choose adoption after birth:

• You'll connect with an adoption specialist. Even though you've already given birth, you'll still have the opportunity to choose an adoptive family from American Adoptions' waiting families.

• The placement process moves at your pace. Once you've chosen a family, American Adoptions coordinates the transition in a way that prioritizes your baby's stability and your peace of mind.

• Your rights are still protected. The same legal safeguards that apply to hospital placements apply here, including the 48-hour waiting period before consent and your right to revoke that consent before court approval.

Understanding Washington's Adoption Laws for Birth Parents

Washington's adoption laws are designed to give you time, information and protection throughout the process. Here's what you need to know.

Consent to Adoption

Your consent won't go to a judge right away. Even if you sign consent to adoption paperwork right after birth, a judge won't review it for at least 48 hours. The 48 hours starts either when you sign the papers or when your baby is born, whichever comes later. This gives you a protected window to make sure you're certain about your decision.

Right to an Attorney

You have the right to your own attorney. You're entitled to independent legal representation to review all paperwork and ensure your rights are protected. American Adoptions will help connect you with an attorney if you don't already have one.

Adoption Revocation Period

Signing consent to adoption does not immediately finalize anything. You can change your mind about adoption at any time before a judge reviews and approves your consent. If you want to change your mind, you can do so by:

• Writing a letter to the court before the judge approves your consent

• Writing a letter within 48 hours of telling your agency you want to change your mind (only if you told them within 48 hours of birth)

Once a judge approves your consent, it becomes final and the adoption revocation period ends. After that point, the adoption moves forward. The only exceptions are if someone pressured you, lied to you or you weren't mentally capable of making the decision when you signed.

Are You Ready? Balancing Emotions and Legal Timelines

The law gives you specific windows for making decisions, but your emotions don't operate on a schedule. It's possible to feel certain one day and completely unsure the next.

If you're struggling with the timeline — feeling pressure to decide quickly or worrying that you're taking too long — talk to your adoption specialist. They can help you sort through what you're feeling and remind you of your rights. You're not obligated to meet anyone else's expectations.

The Support You'll Receive From American Adoptions

No matter when you give your baby up for adoption, American Adoptions provides support designed to meet you where you are. Here's what that looks like:

You'll never navigate this journey alone. Our specialists provide guidance and compassionate care at every step.

Ready to Learn More? Connect With an Adoption Specialist

Now that you know when you can give your baby up for adoption, you might have questions about how the process works in Washington.

You can get free information from American Adoptions by filling out our form, or you can call 1-800-ADOPTION to speak with a specialist. Whether you're still pregnant, at the hospital or already home with your baby, it's never too late to choose a brighter future.

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