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Serving Expectant Parents Across Arizona - We can come to you! Out of State Expectant Parents - virtual connect available!
How Adoption Works in Arizona
If you are pregnant and considering adoption in Arizona, you may be wondering what the adoption process actually looks like and what happens at each step.
You may have questions about choosing an adoptive family, creating an adoption plan, financial assistance, the hospital and birth, legal consent, placement, or what happens after adoption.
You don't have to have all the answers before you contact us.
Starr Adoption Services provides private, confidential support to expectant parents throughout Arizona. Our adoption professionals are available 24/7 to listen to your circumstances, answer your questions, and help you understand your options without judgment or pressure.
Talking with us does not mean you have committed to adoption. Our first goal is simply to help you understand your choices and decide what is right for you and your child.
Call or text Starr Adoption Services at 480-519-4393 anytime.
One on one private & confidential conversation to discuss your needs, your options, and your path forward.
Every adoption situation is different, but an adoption plan generally involves several important steps.
You may begin by talking confidentially with an adoption professional and learning about your pregnancy options. If you decide that adoption is the path you want to pursue, you can create an individualized adoption plan, consider and select an adoptive family, develop a hospital and birth plan, work with an attorney through the legal process, and make a placement plan.
After placement, Starr Adoption Services continues to provide support and counseling.
You are in control of your adoption plan. You can ask questions, take time to consider your choices, and communicate what is important to you throughout the process.
The Arizona Adoption Process: Step by Step
Step 1: Have a Private, Confidential Conversation
The first step doesn't have to be making a decision.
Starr Adoption Services adoption professionals are available 24/7 to listen to what is happening in your life and answer your questions.
You may be feeling uncertain, overwhelmed, excited, scared, or simply unsure about what to do next. You can talk with us about whatever is on your mind.
During your first conversation, you may want to discuss:
Your pregnancy and current circumstances
Parenting and adoption
Your questions about the adoption process
Your relationship with the baby's father
Your financial or housing situation
Medical or pregnancy-related needs
What you want your pregnancy and birth experience to look like
Whether you are considering an open, semi-open, or closed adoption
What kind of adoptive family you might want for your child
There is no need to have a complete adoption plan before you call.
You can simply start with a conversation.
Talk to Starr Adoption Services
We are here 24/7 because your questions and circumstances don't always happen during business hours.
Step 2: Explore Your Pregnancy Options
Before making an adoption plan, you deserve the opportunity to understand all of your options.
Starr Adoption Services can talk with you about pregnancy options including parenting, adoption, guardianship, and other possibilities.
Our role is not to pressure you into choosing adoption. Our role is to provide information and support so you can make an informed decision about your circumstances.
If you are unsure whether adoption is right for you, that's okay.
You can talk with an adoption professional before making any decision.
What if I don't know what I want?
Many expectant parents begin the process with questions rather than certainty.
You might be asking:
Can I parent my baby?
What would adoption look like for me?
Can I choose the adoptive family?
Can I stay in contact with my child?
What support is available during pregnancy?
What happens at the hospital?
What happens after placement?
What happens if I change my mind?
These are important questions, and you deserve honest answers.
You don't have to decide everything today.
Step 3: Create an Individualized Adoption Plan
If you decide that adoption is the path you want to pursue, your Starr Adoption Services Options Counselor will help you develop an individualized adoption plan.
Your adoption plan is about your wishes for your adoption experience and your child.
Depending on your circumstances and preferences, your plan may address things such as:
What you are looking for in an adoptive family
Whether you want an open, semi-open, or closed adoption
How much contact you would like with the adoptive family
Your hospital and birth preferences
Who you would like with you during labor and delivery
Your wishes regarding contact with your baby at the hospital
Your communication preferences
Support you may need during pregnancy
Transportation or other practical needs
Counseling and emotional support
Legal questions and concerns
Your adoption plan is individualized because your circumstances are unique.
You can discuss your wishes with your adoption professional and make changes as your circumstances and preferences develop.
Learn More
Click to: Learn about creating an adoption plan in Arizona →
Step 4: Choose an Adoptive Family
One of the most important decisions you may make is choosing the family who will adopt your child.
Starr Adoption Services encourages expectant parents to participate in selecting an adoptive family from our home-study-approved families.
You can consider the qualities that are important to you.
Depending on your preferences, you may want to learn about a family's:
Family structure
Location
Values
Religious or spiritual background
Parenting philosophy
Hobbies and interests
Lifestyle
Family relationships
Other children
Openness to communication and future contact
Your adoption professional can help you review family information and talk through what you are looking for.
Can I meet the adoptive family?
Depending on your adoption plan and circumstances, you may have opportunities to communicate with or meet the family before placement.
You can discuss your preferences with your Options Counselor.
Can I choose an open adoption?
Yes, you can discuss your preferences for an open, semi-open, or closed adoption with your adoption professional.
The amount and type of communication can be discussed as part of your adoption planning.
You deserve to feel comfortable with the family you are considering for your child.
Explore Adoptive Families
View Starr Adoption Services waiting families → SAS Families
Step 5: Create Your Hospital & Birth Plan
Thinking about the hospital can bring up many questions.
A hospital and birth plan gives you an opportunity to communicate your wishes ahead of time so that the people involved in your care can understand what is important to you.
Your plan may address your preferences for:
Who is with you during labor
Who you would like present during delivery
When and how the adoptive family is involved
How you would like communication handled
Your wishes regarding time with your baby
Your comfort and privacy
Your preferred hospital experience
Other personal wishes surrounding labor and delivery
Your adoption professional can help coordinate with the appropriate people so you don't have to repeatedly explain your plans.
What if my plans change?
Birth doesn't always go exactly according to plan.
That is okay.
Your adoption professional can help you communicate changes and navigate unexpected circumstances as they arise.
Your health and your baby's health are always important considerations.
Your birth plan is about your wishes and helping you feel prepared and supported.
Step 6: Understand the Legal Process
Adoption involves important legal steps.
Starr Adoption Services can help connect you with an attorney who can explain the legal process and represent you during the adoption relinquishment and consent process.
Your attorney can answer questions about your individual circumstances and explain the legal requirements that apply to your adoption.
Legal issues can vary depending on the circumstances of each adoption, so it is important to receive individualized legal advice rather than relying on general information online.
Your attorney can help you understand questions regarding:
Adoption consent
Relinquishment
The rights of a potential birth father
Required legal documents
Your legal rights and responsibilities
The timing of the legal process
Questions you may have before signing legal documents
You should never feel pressured to sign a legal document you do not understand.
Your attorney's role is to explain the legal process and answer your questions.
Important Legal Information
Arizona adoption laws and requirements can be complex and may change.
The information on this website is intended to provide general information about the adoption process and is not legal advice.
Your adoption attorney can explain how Arizona law applies to your individual circumstances.
Learn More
Learn about Arizona adoption legal requirements →Legal Requirements
Step 7: Adoption Placement
After your baby is born and the applicable legal requirements have been met, the adoption placement process moves forward.
Placement is the point at which your child is placed with the adoptive family according to the applicable adoption and legal process.
The details of placement can vary depending on the circumstances of the adoption.
Your adoption professional can help you understand what to expect and coordinate with the appropriate professionals and the adoptive family.
Your hospital and birth plan can also help everyone understand your wishes surrounding the baby's time in the hospital.
Because Arizona adoption laws have specific requirements concerning consent, placement, and other legal matters, your attorney will explain the requirements that apply to your particular situation.
You do not have to navigate these steps alone.
Starr Adoption Services will continue to provide support as you move through the process.
Step 8: Decide What Post-Adoption Contact Looks Like
You can talk with Starr Adoption Services about the type of relationship and communication you would like to have with your child and the adoptive family after placement.
Adoption plans may be:
Open Adoption
An open adoption may involve ongoing communication or contact between the birth parent, child, and adoptive family.
Semi-Open Adoption
A semi-open adoption may involve communication or updates while maintaining agreed-upon boundaries.
Closed Adoption
A closed adoption generally involves little or no ongoing identifying communication between the birth parent and adoptive family.
Every adoption situation is different.
If you choose an open or semi-open adoption, Starr Adoption Services encourages the development of a Post Adoption Communication Plan so everyone has a clear understanding of the agreed-upon communication and contact.
Your adoption professional can help you discuss what you would like your relationship to look like.
Step 9: Receive Ongoing Counseling & Support
Placement does not necessarily mean your emotional journey is over.
Adoption can bring many different emotions, sometimes all at once.
You may experience grief, relief, sadness, peace, uncertainty, love, or other feelings before or after placement.
You don't have to process those emotions alone.
Starr Adoption Services provides counseling and support related to adoption for the life of the agency.
Our goal is to provide a safe place for you to talk about your experience and receive support when you need it.
You are more than an adoption plan.
We care about supporting you as a person throughout your adoption journey
FAQ
“Do I have to choose adoption if I contact you?”
No. Contacting us is simply a way to learn about your options and receive support. You should have the opportunity to make an informed decision without pressure.
“Can I choose the adoptive family?
Yes, you can select the adoptive family. You can view some of our SAS families by clicking on Choosing an Adoptive Family.
“Can I talk to someone anonymously?”
Yes, you can call or text us at 480.519.4393 whenever you’re ready to talk.
“Can I change my mind?”
Yes, private adoption is a voluntary process. If you change your mind simply let us know. We want you to do what you feel is right for you and the baby.
“Can the baby’s father be involved?”
Absolutely, and we highly encourage for fathers to be involved in the full process.
“What happens at the hospital?”
This is really up to you. Your Adoption Professional will help you create a hospital plan to express your wishes.
“Can I receive help with pregnancy related expenses?”
Yes, in Arizona adoption agencies can request pregnancy related expenses to be approved by the courts to assist expectant mothers during their adoption plan. For more information visit Financial Assistance During Pregnancy.
“Can I make an adoption plan in my third trimester?”
Yes, you still have plenty of time to make an adoption plan including selecting a family, developing your hospital plan etc. during your third trimester.
“What if I’ve already given birth?”
You can call Starr Adoption Services at 480.519.4393. If you are still in the hospital we can come and support you there. If you have already taken baby home, you can still choose to make an Adoption Plan After Giving Birth.
“What happens when I contact Starr?”
A Starr Adoption Professional will answer your questions related to resources and adoption & provide you with assistance. You will have a judgment free, supportive call to help you make a decision on your next steps. No pressure, just transparent support.
“Can I have contact with my child after adoption?”
Yes, we encourage open adoptions. The ability to have a Post Adoption Communication Agreement is one of the biggest benefits in modern adoptions.
“What if I’m not sure?”
That’s okay, we are still available to answer questions, provide resources, and support you in making a decision that is right for you and your baby.
How Long Does the Adoption Process Take in Arizona?
There is no single timeline that applies to every adoption.
The length of the process can depend on many factors, including:
How far along you are in your pregnancy
Whether you have already selected an adoptive family
Your individual adoption plan
Your medical and pregnancy circumstances
The baby's birth
Legal requirements
Circumstances involving the baby's father
The timing of required legal steps
The type of post-placement plan you choose
Your adoption professional can explain what the process may look like in your individual circumstances.
If you are already close to your due date, you can still contact us.
You do not have to start an adoption plan months in advance.
What If I’ve Already Given Birth?
If you have already delivered your baby, it may still be possible to discuss adoption and your options.
You do not have to assume that it is too late to ask questions.
If you've already delivered, taken your baby home, or are currently in the hospital and wondering what your options are, contact Starr Adoption Services as soon as possible.
We can listen to your circumstances and help you understand what options may be available.
Call or text 480-519-4393.
I've Already Delivered
Ready to Talk About Your Options?
You don't have to have everything figured out before you contact Starr Adoption Services.
If you're pregnant and considering adoption, we can answer your questions, explain the process, and help you understand your options privately and without judgment.
Our adoption professionals are available 24/7.
You are not committing to adoption by talking with us.