How to Give a Baby Up for Adoption in Utah

Comprehensive Guide

If you’re considering giving a baby up for adoption in Utah, it’s important to know that you’re not alone. Many birth mothers have been where you are, and there are always professionals ready to support you every step of the way. Adoption can be a life-changing decision that allows you to give your child the best possible future.

If you’re ready to speak with a professional about putting a baby up for adoption, contact us online now. We’re always here to help you connect with an adoption professional.

Whether you’re experiencing an unplanned pregnancy or have already started parenting, here’s what you need to know about the adoption process in Utah to help you understand what to expect and how your choice can help create a brighter future for yourself and your baby.

How to Give a Baby Up for Adoption in Utah [6 Steps]

Step 1: Contact an Adoption Agency

The first step to putting a baby up for adoption is to reach out to a licensed adoption agency. When you make that first call, you’ll be connected with an adoption specialist who will listen to your story, answer your questions and help you explore your options without any pressure.

Your specialist will learn more about you to make sure you’re comfortable and ready to start the process. This conversation is confidential and designed to provide you with the support you need.

Step 2: Decide How You Want Your Journey to Go

Your adoption specialist will help you create a personalized adoption plan that reflects your wishes. This plan includes everything from the type of adoption you want to the family you’d like your child to grow up with.

An adoption plan is like a roadmap for how you want your adoption to go. In the adoption process, you’re in control every step of the way.

Step 3: Choose the Perfect Adoptive Family

One of the most empowering aspects of putting a baby up for adoption in Utah is the ability to choose your baby’s adoptive family. You’ll have access to profiles of hopeful adoptive families, and you can review their stories, values and photos to find the perfect match.

The best agencies, like American Adoptions, offer video profiles that give you an inside look into a family’s lifestyle, values and home. Unlike print profiles, video profiles provide a clearer picture, letting you envision the life your child will have.

Once you’ve found the right family, you can meet or communicate with them before making a decision, if you choose.

To begin your search, check out our waiting families page.

When you give your baby up for adoption in the Beehive State, you can choose to stay in touch with your child through open adoption. With open adoption, you have the opportunity to get to know the adoptive family so that you can ensure they’re the perfect match.

Building a relationship with them can provide peace of mind, knowing your child will be loved and cared for by the family of your choice. It also allows you to see your decision come to life, watching your child grow up with endless opportunities. 

Step 4: Give Birth and Complete the Legal Steps of Adoption

When it’s time for delivery, your adoption plan will be in place, and your adoption specialist will coordinate with the hospital to ensure everything goes smoothly. Similar to your adoption plan, you’ll have complete control over your hospital stay. You call the shots by deciding when and how to put your child up for adoption in the hospital.

After the birth and when you’re ready, you’ll sign the legal documents to finalize the adoption. Your adoption specialist will walk you through the legal aspects of the process, ensuring you fully understand each step before you sign your consent for adoption.  

In Utah, you can consent to the adoption 24 hours after the birth.

Step 5: Keep in Touch With Your Baby for Years to Come

If you choose an open adoption, you’ll be able to stay in contact with your child and their adoptive family through the level of communication you’re comfortable with. This can involve:

• Phone calls
• Emails
• In-person visits
• Texts

Because of you, your child will grow up with a bright future filled with opportunities they wouldn’t have had otherwise.

Should I Give My Baby up for Adoption?

Deciding to give a baby up for adoption is 100% your decision. It’s important to take the time to consider what’s best for you and your child. Before making your decision, consider factors such as:

• You’re Giving Your Baby a Brighter Future: Adoption is a loving choice that can provide your child with opportunities you might not be able to offer at this time. Adoption can give your child a stable, loving environment with parents who are ready to provide everything they need.
• You Can Choose the Family: One of the most reassuring aspects of adoption is that you have the power to choose the family who will raise your child. This means you can select a family whose values, lifestyle, and dreams for your child align with your own.
• Adoption is Free of Cost: For birth mothers, adoption services are completely free of cost. This includes everything from counseling to legal services. You may also receive financial assistance for pregnancy-related expenses like medical care, housing, transportation and more.
• You Can Stay Connected to Your Child: If you choose open adoption, you can maintain a relationship with your child and their adoptive family. This means your child will grow up knowing how much they are loved by you, and you can stay up-to-date on their life and milestones.

How an Adoption Agency Can Help

Choosing adoption can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through it alone. An adoption agency can provide you with the support and resources you need to make the best decision for you and your baby. Here’s how they can help:

Financial Assistance

If you’re worried about the costs associated with pregnancy and childbirth, an adoption agency can help you receive financial assistance.

This may cover medical bills, rent, utilities and other pregnancy and medical-related expenses, ensuring you can focus on having a safe, healthy pregnancy.

24/7 Counseling and Emotional Support

The best adoption agencies, like American Adoptions understand that this is a life-changing decision and offer 24/7 counseling to help you process your emotions, no matter the time of day.

Whether you’re struggling with your decision or just need someone to talk to, your adoption specialist will be there for you every step of the way.

Free Adoption Services

All of the services provided to you as a birth mother are free. This includes matching services, where you’ll be connected with hopeful adoptive families, as well as legal services, counseling and post-adoption support.

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Choosing adoption is never easy, but with the right support, it can be a positive and empowering experience for you and your child. Remember, you’re making a choice that comes from love, and there are people ready to help you every step of the way.

To start your journey toward a brighter future, fill out our contact form to connect with an adoption professional now.