Adoption in Denver [A Complete Guide]
Adoption empowers birth mothers to give their babies a brighter future while fulfilling the dreams of hopeful adoptive families.
Whether you are an expecting parent considering placing your baby for adoption or a hopeful adoptive family ready to welcome a child into your home, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
You can get more information about the process and our adoption agency in Denver, Colorado, by contacting us online or calling 1-800-ADOPTION. If you’d prefer to speak with an adoption specialist in person, you can visit one of our local offices:
Denver
1-800-ADOPTION
Arvada
1-800-ADOPTION
How to Put a Baby Up for Adoption in Denver
If you live in Denver and want to put your baby up for adoption, we can help. Our agency offers 24/7 counseling so that you can get the support you need when you need it. Your adoption specialist will be with you every step of the way.
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Step 1: Contact our adoption agency. We can help you navigate the adoption process and ensure a brighter future for your baby if you contact us today.
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Step 2: Create a personalized adoption plan. One of our adoption specialists will outline your preferences, including what you’re looking for in your baby’s adoptive family and your preferred level of communication after placement.
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Step 3: Select an adoptive family. You get to choose the perfect family for your baby based on your hopes and dreams for their future.
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Step 4: Give birth and consent to the adoption. Your hospital stay will follow your adoption plan, and you’ll have legal representation when you’re ready to sign the paperwork.
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Step 5: Adjust to life as a birth mother. In an open or semi-open adoption, you can start receiving updates from your baby’s adoptive family right away, or you can take time to heal.
How to Adopt a Baby in Denver
Adopting a baby in Denver involves several general steps. Here’s an outline of the process:
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Step 1: Select an adoption agency. Reputable adoption agencies in Denver, Colorado, will provide accurate wait times and cost estimates to help you plan for your adoption journey.
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Step 2: Complete a home study. A home study is a comprehensive evaluation of your home environment, background and readiness to adopt.
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Step 3: Create an adoption profile. Expecting parents can get to know you through your adoptive family profile. These profiles generally include photos, letters and videos.
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Step 4: Meet the expecting parent. Your adoption specialist will let you know when a pregnant woman matches with your profile. Typically, you’ll meet each other on a mediated conference call.
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Step 5: Finalize the adoption. After the baby is born and the birth mother consents to the adoption, a judge can legally finalize the adoption in court.
Adoption Agencies in Denver
Depending on your adoption preferences, there are three Denver agencies you can contact:
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Private domestic adoption: American Adoptions of Colorado
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Foster care adoption: Denver Human Services
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International adoption: Hand in Hand
Types of Adoption in Denver
There are several different types of adoption available, including:
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Infant adoption: This type of adoption involves adopting a newborn baby through a private domestic adoption agency in Denver, Colorado.
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Foster care adoption: You can adopt children in the foster care system whose birth parents' rights have been voluntarily or involuntarily terminated.
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International adoption: To adopt a child from another country, you will need to comply with international laws and regulations.
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Stepparent adoption: You can solidify your family’s legal relationship by adopting your spouse’s children.
Denver Adoption Laws
Denver’s laws cover various aspects of the adoption process to ensure every party’s rights are respected.
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Adoption professionals: Only licensed adoption agencies in Denver, Colorado, can manage the adoption process. This ensures ethical practices and legal compliance.
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Financial assistance: Expecting parents can receive financial assistance for certain pregnancy-related costs.
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Birth fathers: Both birth parents need to consent to the adoption unless a court has terminated a parent's rights or the parent has abandoned the child for over a year. Birth father rights can be complex, but we can help pregnant women navigate consent requirements and contested adoptions.
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Consent to the adoption: In Denver, Colorado, a birth parent can provide written, notarized consent to adoption after the baby is born.
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ICPC: The Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) law ensures safe and legal adoptions across state lines.
Denver Adoption Requirements
There aren’t any requirements if you’re placing your child for adoption. This means that you can choose adoption if you believe it’s the best decision for yourself and your baby.
However, if you want to adopt, you must meet certain requirements. For instance, you must complete a home study, pass a background check and demonstrate your ability to provide a safe, loving home. These requirements are in place to ensure the safety and well-being of your adopted child.
How Much Does It Cost to Adopt in Denver?
Private domestic adoption can be pricey due to agency fees, legal costs and the pregnant woman’s medical and living expenses. The Child Welfare Information Gateway estimates that private adoptions start at $30,000 in Denver, Colorado.
Our agency offers a Risk-Sharing Program to help protect your investment in case of an adoption disruption. Some pregnant women experience complications or decide to parent. If that happens, we’ll refund you 100% of your post-activation expenses.
Foster care adoption is generally more affordable because the state subsidizes certain costs. Children in foster care who are eligible for adoption financial assistance may be older or have special needs. This type of adoption allows you to give a child a safe, stable home.
Financial Assistance for Adoption in Denver
Financial assistance for birth mothers includes help with medical bills, legal fees and certain living expenses. This support ensures that you can focus on your health and well-being during the pregnancy.
If you want to adopt and need help with funding, there are various forms of assistance available, including grants, loans and the Adoption Tax Credit. These resources can help offset the costs associated with adoption and make it more accessible. Although our agency doesn’t offer any forms of financial assistance, we can help you budget for your adoption journey.
Other Adoption Professionals in Denver
You might work with these professionals in addition to your adoption agency in Denver, Colorado:
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Attorneys: Adoption attorneys ensure that all legal aspects of the process are handled correctly. We can refer you to one of the adoption attorneys in our extensive network.
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Home study agencies: Our adoption agency is licensed to complete home studies in Colorado, so we can streamline the process for hopeful adoptive families.
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Adoption social workers: The licensed social workers on our staff provide counseling to pregnant women and complete home studies for adoptive families.
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Foster care services: American Adoptions of Colorado doesn’t offer foster care services, but we can walk you through your options or refer you to another agency.
For more information about the adoption process or our adoption agency in Denver, Colorado, contact us online or call 1-800-ADOPTION today.
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.