Adoption Paperwork [What Forms are Needed]

You know that adoption is the best choice for your baby because it will provide them with an amazing life filled with love and opportunity. But how will you make your decision official? What paperwork will you need to complete?

Not every adoption situation is the same, so the paperwork you’ll fill out will depend on your unique set of circumstances.  This might sound like a lot to keep track of, but that’s where we come in.  Your adoption specialist will keep track of all these documents for you and will make sure that you are providing and filling out the correct adoption papers at the appropriate times.

Don’t let the adoption paperwork discourage you. Your adoption specialist will be by your side every step of the way to answer your questions and to keep everything on track.

Social and Medical Forms

The social and medical history forms you will provide will detail your genetic and social traits so that your adoption specialist can find an amazing adoptive family for your baby. The medical history documentation is also beneficial for the hopeful adoptive family because it allows them to understand the child’s social and medical needs. 

This adoption form also helps the hospital prepare for your prenatal care during your hospital stay. This ensures that the hospital staff can make sure you and your baby are safe and healthy.

You will be asked to complete your social medical history forms early in the adoption process so that your specialist can better understand your situation and provide you with all of the services and support you need. It’s important to know that filling out these adoption forms does not commit you to choose adoption, and any information you provide will be kept confidential.

Disclosing Difficult Information

Some expectant mothers are intimidated by these forms if there are parts of their medical or social history that they would rather remain private. This could range from drug use, STDs, a specific medical condition, etc. Whatever might be in your social or medical history, you will never face judgment. The staff at American Adoptions has worked with birth moms from all kinds of backgrounds, and we treat each one with care and compassion they deserve.

Erika, a birth mom who placed her baby for adoption through American Adoptions had only good things to say about her adoption specialist. “I could not have asked for a better set of people in my life,” she says. “They made the whole process amazing… I never went back and forth with my decision, but it was still a tough decision. “I don’t know how I would have done it without Shannon,” she adds.

 

These documents help us assist you in finding the perfect adoptive family for your baby, and help that family in properly caring for your baby after the adoption is completed. Your honesty and transparency is important to building a foundation of trust with your adoption professional and the prospective adoptive family. All the information you disclose to us on these social and medical history forms will always kept confidential and will never be used outside of the adoption process.

Adoption Planning

One of the most important documents you will fill out during your adoption process is your adoption plan. Your adoption plan is a template for everything you would like your adoption to include. Your adoption specialist will walk you through these adoption forms and will make sure that all your bases are covered.  Your adoption plan will include:

• Your personal information

• Information about your pregnancy, such as the due date and the baby’s gender, if you are aware of what it is

• Your support system

• Birth father information and whether or not he is involved in the adoption

• Post-placement contact preferences

• Qualities you would like to see in the adoptive family

• And more

This might seem like a lot to consider, but you will never be alone in your adoption. Your adoption specialist is available 24/7 to answer your questions and will be happy to talk you through your adoption plan.

Consent Forms

The adoption consent forms will be some of the last adoption paperwork in Missouri you’ll fill out during your adoption journey. These are the “giving child up” for adoption legal papers. These forms legally document your adoption decision and give the adoptive parents custody of your baby so that the adoption can be completed. Our adoption specialists will walk you through these forms and will help connect you with a reputable adoption lawyer who will ensure your rights are protected. These professionals will make sure you understand the forms you’re filling out so that you’re not blindly agreeing to anything.

After your baby is born and you feel ready to commit to adoption, you will be able to sign these adoption forms when you are ready.  You must wait at least 48 hours after the baby is born before you can complete the legal adoption paperwork in Missouri. Once your documents are signed, you cannot change your mind. This is why it’s so important to talk with your adoption specialist to ensure you are 100% confident in your decision before signing.

This is the part of your adoption process where your adoption attorney will be very involved. Your adoption specialist and your adoption attorney will ensure you have proper legal counsel when reviewing these forms.

 It’s important to bear in mind: you never have to sign the adoption consent forms if you change your mind about adoption or if you’re not sure. This is a choice only you can make. You know what’s best for you and your baby. Whatever you choose, your adoption specialist will have your back every step of the way.

Angelica is js just one of the many expectant mothers we’ve helped feel empowered throughout their adoption process.

“You could tell they weren’t just putting on a front to make you want to do it or push you into it,” Angelica says. “They want whatever you want, and that’s what they told me during the whole process. It wasn’t up to them; they were just going to be there for me no matter what decision I made.”

Every Adoption Situation is Unique

This is just a broad overview of the main categories of adoption forms in Missouri expectant mothers considering adoption will fill out. But every situation is different, so the paperwork could vary depending on your circumstances. For example, if you’re considering adoption after your child has been born, the medical history will include details about the life of the child. If you already have an adoptive family in mind, you might not need to fill out that portion of your adoption plan.

The adoption contracts you complete will depend on whether your baby has already been born or how far into your adoption decision you are. The consent forms, however, will always be required to complete an adoption.

Getting Started

Adoption paperwork seems more daunting than it actually is. These adoption papers ensure that your adoption experience is a positive and successful one. And you’ll never be alone.  Your adoption specialist will always be there to lend their support. To get more information about adoption papers, contact us today.

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