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How to Adopt a Baby in Wisconsin: Making Parenthood a Reality

You can build the family you’ve been dreaming of through private adoption. With the right guidance, adopting a baby in Wisconsin can be a life-changing journey filled with hope, support and love.

When you work with a full-service national agency like American Adoptions, you get everything you need—right from your own backyard.

Parenthood is around the corner. Fill out our form to connect with a Wisconsin adoption specialist.

How to Adopt a Baby in Wisconsin: 5 Steps to Parenthood

Adopting a baby in Wisconsin is more than just a legal process—it's the journey that brings you one step closer to becoming a parent. 

"It’s been single-handedly the most amazing thing to happen to either of us. It’s just been the biggest enhancement to not only our lives as a three-member family now, but also to our extended family. It’s almost impossible to put into words, but the overwhelming feeling I have is just one of pure joy and happiness."

- Adoptive Parent Adrian,
 Read more of Adrian and Vicki's Story

With American Adoptions by your side, every stage is guided by compassionate care, expert support and a shared goal of helping you finally grow your family.

Step 1: Contact an Adoption Agency

American Adoptions is a national, full-service agency equipped to guide you through every step.

Fill out our simple form to get more information or schedule a free consultation with our adoption specialists.

Step 2: Become an Active Family

  1. APQ: Your adoption specialist will help you complete an Adoption Planning Questionnaire (APQ), which is essentially where you will be able to go into detail about what you want from your adoption journey.

  2. Adoption home study: The home study is a legal requirement in Wisconsin and serves as a thorough evaluation of your readiness to adopt. If you’ve already completed the home study, we can fast-track your adoption process.

  3. Adoptive family profile: With the help of our media team, you'll create a dynamic print and video profile that highlights your personality, lifestyle, and values. This personalized approach helps birth parents feel confident in choosing you.

Step 3: Be Chosen by a Prospective Birth Mother

Once your profile is active, it will be presented to prospective birth mothers who match your preferences. When a birth mother selects your family, you enter into a match and may begin to get to know each other.

Our specialists will help guide communication and expectations during this sensitive and exciting time.

We ask all of our adoptive families to be open to communication with the birth mother during and after the adoption process.

Step 4: Meet Your Baby: Delivery and Hospital Stay

As your baby’s due date approaches, you’ll receive updates and a hospital plan. You may be invited to attend the birth or meet your baby shortly afterward.

American Adoptions coordinates with the hospital and birth parents to ensure everyone feels supported.

Step 5: Post-Placement Life: Living Out Your Dream of Parenthood

At least 6 months following placement, your adoption will be finalized in court. Finalization makes your parenthood legally permanent—a beautiful conclusion to one journey and the beginning of another.

Who Can Adopt a Baby in Wisconsin? 

At American Adoptions, we welcome many types of families and follow inclusive standards designed to ensure every child is placed in a safe, loving home. Our adoption requirements include:

  • Age: You must be between 25-50 years old

  • Marital status: Couples must be married for at least 2 years.

  • Existing children: Must have no more than 2 children

Learn more about Wisconsin adoption requirements.

How American Adoptions Supports You: Why Families Trust Us

Choosing the right adoption agency can make all the difference. At American Adoptions, we provide transparent, reliable support throughout your entire journey. 

With us, you’ll never have to question whether your adoption is being handled with the care, efficiency and integrity it deserves.

Here's how we help you have the family you've been waiting for:

  • 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.

Covering Wisconsin Adoption Costs and Protecting Your Budget

The cost of adoption in Wisconsin varies depending on the agency you work with. The fees included in the total cost of adoption  include services like:

  • Agency fees: Advertising, birth mother support, Adoption Disruption Insurance, case management, birth mother living expenses

  • Legal fees: Your attorney, the birth mother’s attorney, court filings, adoption finalization

  • Medical expenses: Prenatal care, labor and delivery, post-natal care

When you're presented with an adoption opportunity, we'll give you a detailed cost estimate that includes the expected living expenses for the birth mother, adjusted for her local cost of living.

This helps you budget confidently and prepare for each step of your adoption journey.

If an adoption opportunity does not work out, unlike other agencies that may roll your money over to other adoption opportunities, we refund your investment back to you to use however you choose.

Worried About Affording Adoption? You Have Options

Some families also utilize financial resources like:

  • Adoption grants (e.g., Gift of Adoption Fund, HelpUsAdopt.org)

  • Low-interest loans from credit unions or adoption-specific lenders

  • Federal adoption tax credit

We'll help you find the resources you need to adopt a baby in Wisconsin.

Parenthood is Closer Than You Think: How Long Does it Take to Adopt a Baby in Wisconsin?

Wait times vary, but many families working with American Adoptions are matched with a birth mom in an average of 12 months. Here’s how:

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. 

At American Adoptions, we give you the real picture—because you've waited long enough.

Why Completing Your Adoption Home Study Early is So Important

The adoption home study is one of the most important steps in the entire process—it lays the foundation for a safe, stable and successful adoption.

Home studies for adoption typically include:

  • Background checks (FBI and child abuse registry)

  • Document collection (medical records, financial statements, references)

  • Personal interviews with each member of your household

  • Home safety inspections

Delaying your home study can delay your ability to be matched with a birth mother.

By completing it early, you're not only meeting a legal requirement but also positioning yourself to move forward confidently and without unnecessary setbacks when the right opportunity arises.

Find a home study provider in Wisconsin.

When is Adoption Finalized in Wisconsin? From Placement to Parenthood

Adoption finalization in Wisconsin typically occurs at least six months after placement and involves a court hearing.

After a post-placement home study visit and the formal adoption petition has been filed, the judge will review post-placement reports and issue the final decree of adoption.

Learn more about finalizing adoption in Wisconsin

Other Adoption Laws in Wisconsin

  • Wisconsin requires 25 hours of pre-adoption training, at least 6 hours in person and at least 6 hours of child-specific training.

  • When adopting a Native American baby, the Indian Child Welfare Act applies. The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) protects Native American children by ensuring tribes have a say in adoption cases involving their members.

  • The Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) ensures that adoptions between states are legally and safely conducted. It requires approval from both states before a child can be transported across state lines for adoption.

Learn more about Wisconsin adoption laws.

Adoption Attorneys Near Me

We coordinate legal services for you and can connect you with trusted adoption attorneys we regularly work with in Wisconsin. You can learn more about a few of the local professionals we’ve worked with below:

  • Emily Leiter (Madison): Partner at The Law Center, S.C., specializing in adoption and assisted reproduction law. She is a strong advocate for immigrant children and LGBTQ+ families. Emily authored the Accuracy for Adoptees Act of 2013 and co-wrote a Hague proposal on international surrogacy.

  • Lynn Bodi (Madison): A founding partner at The Law Center, S.C. in Madison, Wisconsin, with over 30 years of experience in adoption and surrogacy. She is the owner of Adoptions of Wisconsin, Inc., and has represented international clients in surrogacy cases.

  • Theresa Roetter (Madison): A partner at DeWitt LLP with over 30 years of experience in adoption, surrogacy and assisted reproduction law. As the child of an adopted parent, she brings personal insight to her work. She serves as Vice President and Trustee of the Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys.

  • Erin Fay (Waukesha):​ An attorney at Grady, Hayes & Neary, LLC in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Her practice encompasses family protection matters such as parentage determination, surrogacy, as well as adoption, foster care, guardianship and termination of parental rights.

These professionals have extensive experience in private infant adoption.

Other Types of Adoption in Wisconsin and How They Compare to Private Adoption

Understanding Wisconsin's different types of adoption can help you make the best decision for your family. 

The table below compares private domestic adoption, foster care adoption and international adoption based on primary goal, age of the adoptee, wait times and assisting professionals.

Private DomesticFoster CareInternational
Permanent placementReunification if possiblePlacement of a child from another country
Newborn0-18 years oldVaries
average of 12 monthsUp to 5 years1-5 years
Agency-assistedState-runInternational laws; agency-assisted

FAQ About Adopting a Baby in Wisconsin

Can birth mothers change their minds in Wisconsin?

A birth mother in Wisconsin can change her mind about adoption up until she has given her consent in court following the birth of her baby. Once she consents to the termination of her parental rights, this process cannot be reversed.

Are open adoptions legally enforceable in Wisconsin?

No. Post-adoption contact agreements are not enforceable in Wisconsin. However, American Adoptions asks that our adoptive families be open to some degree of contact with the birth mother during and after the adoption.

How hard is it for a gay couple to adopt a baby?

LGBTQ+ individuals and couples can adopt in Wisconsin. American Adoptions welcomes all loving families.

Are adoptive parents on the birth certificate in Wisconsin?

Yes. Once the adoption has been finalized, the court will issue an amended birth certificate that will list the adoptive parents as the legal parents. The original birth certificate is sealed and will be kept confidential.

Is there a state adoption tax credit?

There is no state adoption tax credit, but there is an adoption tax deduction of up to $5,000 for adoption-related expenses. A tax deduction allows you to reduce the amount of taxable income, which means you pay less taxes.

Don’t Wait Any Longer – Adopt a Baby In Wisconsin Today

Adopting a baby in Wisconsin is a beautiful, life-changing decision—and you don’t have to go through it alone. Whether you’re just starting your research or ready to move forward, American Adoptions is here to walk with you every step of the way.

Our Offices in Wisconsin

As a national adoption agency, we have offices all over the country, including Wisconsin.

Milwaukee

9000 W. Chester St. #100

Milwaukee, WI 53214

De Pere

444 Reid St.

De Pere, WI 54115

Eau Claire

3402 Oakwood Mall Dr.

Eau Claire, WI 54701

Your family begins with one step. Take it today.

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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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