How to Adopt a Baby in Oregon: A Step-by-Step Guide
Learn how to adopt a baby in Oregon, including private, foster, and international options, with expert guidance from licensed adoption professionals.
Adoption is a legal and emotional process that allows individuals and couples to welcome a child into their family. In Oregon, people from all walks of life adopt children every year. Whether you’re interested in adopting an infant, an older child from foster care, or a child from another country, this guide will explain your options and help you understand what to expect.
Adopting a baby in Oregon may seem overwhelming at first, but it becomes easier once you learn the steps involved. Each journey is unique, but with guidance from professionals like American Adoptions, you can take each step with confidence. American Adoptions is a licensed national agency that helps families in Oregon and across the U.S. by offering expert guidance, emotional support, and full-service care.
Why Adoption Agencies Matter
Adoption agencies are your main partner during the adoption process. They provide legal services, emotional support, and practical help that make adoption possible. Licensed agencies also help protect the rights of everyone involved, including the birth parents, adoptive parents, and especially the child.
Here’s how adoption agencies support you:
- Make sure all state and federal laws are followed
- Connect adoptive parents with birth mothers considering adoption
- Coordinate home studies, legal documents, and medical planning
- Offer counseling before, during, and after the adoption
Any reputable adoption agency will be ready to answer your most important questions. From timelines to emotional support and financial planning, a good agency should offer clear, thoughtful guidance that helps you feel informed and at ease. These are just a few of the common questions they should be prepared to discuss with you:
- How long does adoption usually take?
- What if a birth mother changes her mind?
- What financial help is available to adoptive families?
Transparency matters when choosing an adoption agency. Not every agency will prioritize the needs of adoptive families—and some may lack the honesty or oversight that builds trust. That’s why it’s essential to work with an agency that is open about timelines, costs, services, and outcomes.
Private Adoption Agencies in Oregon
Private adoption usually involves adopting a newborn. Families are matched with birth mothers through an agency and receive guidance throughout. These adoptions can be open, semi-open, or closed, giving both parties a say in the plan.
Compared to foster care or international adoption, private adoption offers more control and personal involvement. Adoptive families often meet the birth mother beforehand. Foster care may involve older children and less predictability, while international adoption follows two countries’ laws and may limit contact with the child’s background.
In Oregon, leading private agencies include:
- American Adoptions – A national agency that helps Oregon families with everything from home studies to placement to post-adoption support.
- Open Adoption & Family Services – Located in Portland and Eugene, they focus on fully open adoptions.
- Boys & Girls Aid – An Oregon-based agency with a long history of helping children and families.
Private adoption is ideal for families who want to be actively involved in creating an adoption plan with a birth mother.
Explore Private Adoption Agencies
Foster Care Adoption in Oregon
Foster care adoption involves adopting a child from the state’s foster system—typically older children, sibling groups, or those with special needs. It may require extra patience, but it’s an impactful way to grow a family.
Unlike private or international adoption, foster care adoption often includes longer timelines and court involvement. Families have less control over choosing a specific child, and the child’s background may be more complex. Still, it provides a low-cost way to offer stability and love to children who need it most.
Agencies supporting foster adoption include:
- ODHS Child Welfare – Oregon’s main child welfare office
- Maple Star Oregon – Focuses on children with emotional and behavioral needs
Families who adopt from foster care play a crucial role in giving kids a better future.
International Adoption from Oregon
International adoption lets Oregon families adopt children from other countries. Though more complex than adopting in the U.S., it offers children the chance to grow up in safe, permanent homes.
Families must follow both U.S. and the other country’s laws, often under the Hague Convention. The process can include translating documents, getting immigration approval, and attending court overseas. There’s usually little or no contact with the birth family, and adopted children may be older. While it can take more time and planning, international adoption is a powerful way to grow a family and support a child in need.
Agencies that help with international adoption include:
- All God’s Children International – Based in Vancouver, WA, close to Portland
- Holt International – Headquartered in Eugene, OR, with global adoption programs
International adoption may take longer and require more documents, but it’s a powerful way to change a child’s life.
How to Choose the Right Agency in Oregon
Licensed Agencies
Choosing a licensed agency is essential for ensuring a legally sound, ethical, and well-supported adoption process. Licensed agencies in Oregon are reviewed regularly to meet strict safety, training, and legal standards, helping protect both the adoptive family and the child throughout the journey.
How Licensed Agencies Are Regulated
Local vs. National Agencies
When deciding between a local or national agency, consider the level of support, accessibility, and matching reach. Local agencies may offer more face-to-face interactions and community-based services. National agencies, like American Adoptions, provide a broader range of adoption opportunities, shorter wait times due to a larger pool of expectant mothers, and 24/7 staff support across state lines.
Learn More About National Agencies
Financial Protection
Financial transparency matters—especially when an adoption doesn’t proceed as planned. Some agencies offer little to no protection when a match falls through, leaving families with unrecoverable expenses. American Adoptions offers a financial protection program that refunds certain costs in these situations, helping families move forward with peace of mind.
How We Provide Financial Protection
What Full-Service Agencies Do
Full-service agencies simplify adoption by managing every step, including:
- Coordinating your home study
- Helping you build your adoptive family profile
- Facilitating communication with birth mothers
- Providing legal support and handling court filings
- Offering hospital and post-placement guidance
Having one provider oversee the full process reduces delays, miscommunication, and the emotional strain of managing multiple professionals on your own.
Out-of-State Adoptions
If you’re matched with a birth mother in another state, it’s crucial to work with an agency that understands and complies with the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC). The ICPC is a legal agreement that governs how children are placed across state lines and requires proper paperwork, timing, and communication between states.
National agencies like American Adoptions have the experience and licensure to handle this process efficiently and accurately, reducing delays and avoiding legal complications. Their ability to manage every aspect of interstate coordination ensures your placement is legally secure, timely, and less stressful for everyone involved.
What Do Adoption Agencies Do?
Adoption agencies guide and support adoptive families through every step of the adoption journey. They are responsible for providing education, organizing services, and making sure the process meets all legal and emotional needs.
- Explain how adoption works and help you choose the best path
- Assist with creating your family profile to share with expectant mothers
- Facilitate communication and relationship-building during the match
- Manage all legal documents, court filings, and compliance with state laws
- Coordinate hospital plans and birth parent communication
- Offer post-placement counseling and finalization support
Good agencies also stay up to date on adoption law, provide emotional guidance for all parties, and act as advocates when questions or challenges arise.
Child Adoption Services You Need
5 Steps to Adopt a Baby in Oregon
Step 1: Choose a Licensed Agency
Choosing the right adoption agency is your first and most important step—and a decision that will shape the entire process. A good agency should be licensed, experienced, and fully transparent about their services, fees, and timelines. They should also be able to answer all your questions clearly and honestly.
Whether you work with a local or national provider, your agency should offer comprehensive services, including matching support, legal guidance, and emotional care. Take your time researching and comparing options. Look for agencies that prioritize your needs, communicate openly, and help you feel prepared for every step of the adoption journey.
Step 2: Prepare for Adoption
Once you’ve chosen an agency, the next step is preparation. Your agency will guide you through several key requirements that help ensure you’re ready to adopt. This phase includes:
- Completing a home study: A licensed social worker will assess your home and lifestyle to confirm you’re ready to adopt.
- Passing background checks: All adults in your home must complete state and federal background screenings.
- Attending parenting classes: These trainings help prepare you for the unique challenges and rewards of adoption.
- Building your adoptive family profile: You’ll create a written and visual introduction that helps birth parents get to know you.
Each part of this step is essential to moving forward in the adoption process and sets the foundation for a safe, successful placement.
Step 3: Get Matched with a Birth Mother
Your adoption profile will be shared with expectant mothers who are considering adoption. If a birth mother feels a connection with your story and selects you, the agency will help facilitate communication. This early relationship is an important part of the adoption process. It allows both you and the birth mother to build trust and discuss hopes, preferences, and plans for the baby’s future well before the baby is born.
Step 4: Placement at the Hospital
When the baby is born, your adoption agency works closely with hospital staff to carry out the agreed adoption plan. Depending on what the birth mother is comfortable with, you may be invited to the hospital to be part of the experience. After birth, the baby is placed with you according to the prearranged plan, and the agency ensures that the transition is handled smoothly, respectfully, and with support for both families.
Step 5: Finalize the Adoption in Court
After about six months of post-placement supervision, your adoption agency will submit the necessary legal documents to the court. This final step takes place during a hearing where a judge reviews the case to ensure everything complies with Oregon adoption law. Once approved, the judge issues a final decree of adoption, making your child a permanent and legal member of your family.
Who Can Adopt in Oregon?
Oregon welcomes individuals and families from diverse backgrounds to adopt. You are eligible if you:
- Are at least 21 years old
- Are single, married, or in a committed partnership
- Can provide a safe, loving, and permanent home
The state does not limit adoption based on race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, or marital status. What matters most is your ability to meet a child’s emotional, physical, and developmental needs. Oregon’s inclusive policies ensure that all qualified families have the opportunity to grow through adoption.
What Does Adoption Cost?
Adoption costs vary depending on the type of adoption and the level of service offered by your agency.
Average Costs by Adoption Type:
- Private Infant Adoption: $30,000–$60,000
- Foster Care Adoption: Usually free or under $4,000
- International Adoption: $25,000–$50,000 or more, including travel and documentation fees
Ways to Offset Costs:
- Federal Adoption Tax Credit: Up to $15,950 in qualified expenses
- Employer Assistance: Some workplaces offer adoption reimbursement or leave benefits
- Grants and Fundraising: Nonprofit grants, scholarships, and online fundraising can help reduce out-of-pocket expenses
Understanding the costs upfront—and working with an agency that is transparent about them—can help you budget confidently and plan your next steps.
Learn More About Adoption Costs
What’s a Home Study?
A home study is a detailed report completed by a licensed social worker that confirms you are ready and eligible to adopt. It’s required for all types of adoption in Oregon and is one of the first steps your agency will help you complete.
The home study process includes:
- Background checks: Ensures all adults in the home have passed criminal and child welfare screenings
- Family interviews: Helps the social worker understand your motivations, parenting approach, and family dynamics
- Home safety inspection: Verifies that your home environment is safe, clean, and has adequate space for a child
- Health and financial documents: Confirms that you are physically, mentally, and financially capable of raising a child
- Reference checks: Includes letters or interviews with people who can speak to your character and suitability as a parent
The home study can take several weeks to complete, and many families say it’s a helpful process that offers valuable preparation. Once approved, your home study becomes a key document used during matching and finalization.
Oregon Home Study Providers
- American Adoptions – Licensed in Oregon
- Choices Adoption & Counseling – Based in Salem
What Is Open Adoption?
Open adoption is a type of adoption where birth parents and adoptive parents maintain some level of ongoing contact after placement. The goal is to create a relationship that benefits the child and respects the boundaries and preferences of both families. The level of contact can vary—from sharing occasional updates to maintaining close, regular communication.
Common forms of contact in open adoption include:
- Sharing photos, letters, and updates
- Talking via phone calls or texts
- Scheduling in-person visits or video calls
Open adoption benefits everyone involved—especially the child. Staying in contact helps children better understand their background and identity, which supports healthy emotional growth and self-esteem.
For birth parents, it offers comfort knowing their child is safe and cared for. For adoptive families, it opens the door to questions, ongoing communication, and stronger trust with the birth family.
Because of these benefits, most adoptions today are open or semi-open. Agencies like American Adoptions help families navigate these relationships with clear expectations, contact agreements, and ongoing support.
Common Questions about Oregon Adoption
How long does adoption take?
It depends, but typically about 6 months after the baby is placed with you.
Can birth parents change their mind?
Yes, until they sign legal consent. After that, the decision is final.
Is there a tax credit?
Yes. The federal credit can cover up to $15,950 in qualified expenses.
Can LGBTQ+ couples adopt?
Yes. Oregon welcomes families of all kinds.
Will we be on the birth certificate?
Yes. After finalization, your names will appear on the amended birth certificate.
Can we adopt without an agency?
Yes, but it can be more difficult. Agencies like American Adoptions can still help even if you’ve already found a match.
Learn More About Inclusive Adoption
Take the Next Step toward Adoption in Oregon
Adoption is a journey of love, learning, and commitment. If you’re ready to grow your family through adoption, start by choosing a licensed, experienced agency. American Adoptions provides full-service guidance to families across Oregon.
You don’t have to do it alone. Start today by connecting with an adoption professional.