Interested in adopting a baby in Texas? Whether you reside in Texas or live out-of-state, Texas is politically known for being both pro-life and pro-family. That may be why so many people seek out information on adopting a baby in Texas. There are at least 50 hopeful adopters awaiting every one baby in the United States these days. So be prepared: your wait time to match or place in Texas will likely vary, depending on circumstances and parental preferences.
The best place to start is by doing your homework and learning all you can about adoption. So let’s jump in and get you the info you need to know which sort of help you (and your future baby’s birthparents) are likely to need, going forward.
Why is Adopting a Baby in Texas so Popular?
Texas is such a big state, there are statistically more babies born here each year, so that’s part of the draw. But Texas laws are also considered to be “adoption-friendly” (to the adopters, at least) so that’s also a factor. For example, licensed agencies like Abrazo can help placing mothers with basic living expenses before and after placement. That support is vital to prospective birthparents in need. However, Texas’ abortion restrictions have not proven to be a big factor in the number of babies placed for adoption, to the surprise of many. (Less than 1% of pregnant females consider the adoption alternative, according to current studies.)
Texas adoptions do not require the consent of an alleged father who has not been actively involved in a pregnancy and hasn’t registered with the Voluntary Paternity Registry. Also, in Texas, a birthparent’s legal surrender to a licensed agency (signed 48 hours or more after birth) is “irrevocable” which means there’s no grace period for reclaims. Adopting a baby in Texas through a licensed adoption agency like Abrazo can mean avoiding challenges that sometimes arise in states where the laws are less favorable to adoption. (However, open adoption agreements in Texas are not legally-enforceable, so that can be a disadvantage, as well– especially for birthfamilies.)
What is Required to Adopt in Texas?
All adopting parents must pass background checks and complete fingerprinting for Texas (and and any other state in which they live). They need to complete a homestudy done in accordance with Texas standards (and their home state, if not Texas). They may locate a prospective birthparent with whom to match through an agency like Abrazo or on their own. Either way, the placing parents should be provided with a qualified counselor and offered independent legal counsel– prior to any adoption decision being made. It is also possible to adopt a child through the Texas foster care system; Texas children who are already free to be adopted can be viewed on the Texas Heart Gallery.
In Texas, you must use a licensed adoption agency and/or a licensed attorney. (“Adoption facilitators” are not legal in Texas, nor is adoption advertising unless done through a licensed adoption agency.) Only a licensed adoption agency in Texas can assist expectant moms and birthparents with financial assistance for living expenses. In a private adoption in Texas, attorneys are limited to the payment of legal bills and medical bills. (Note: it is illegal for adopting parents to ever make direct payments or give gifts of value to birthparents in exchange for an adoption in Texas.)
Abrazo’s adopting parents are supervised by the agency for 6-12 months after placement, then return in person for the final adoption hearing in court. This presents a wonderful opportunity for the birthparent/s to get to see and spend time with the adoptive family again.
What Else Should We Know about Adopting a Baby in Texas?
Expect the entire process to take a year or more. (Childless couples typically find the wait shorter than couples with children already.) Also, remember that when adopting a baby in Texas, the more you’re open to (ie., gender, race, drug exposure, medical conditions), the more placement opportunities may come your way. The costs of adopting a baby in Texas will depend on the agency and attorney fees, as well as the baby’s medical expenses, but generally, infant adoption is more costly than adopting a child.
Those who are from out-of-state must also physically stay in Texas with the baby or child they’re adopting while their agency or attorney seek Interstate Compact approval. (This is in compliance with federal law requiring both the child’s birth state and the adopting parents’ state to approve the placement and the transfer of the child across state lines, which can take 7-10 days or more.)
After your child’s adoption is finalized, Texas will seal the original birth record as well as the adoption decree. The court then issues an “amended birth certificate” naming the adopters as the adoptee’s only parents. This practice can present potential issues for Texas adoptees. Why? Because they are legally restricted from accessing their own original birth certificate as adults– a clear violation of any American’s civil right to their own records.
Where Do We Start?
Abrazo is currently in need of childless couples with documented infertility who are seeking to adopt, particularly Latino adoptive couples and Texans ready for open adoption. To learn more, visit the agency website, then download, complete and return the AP Inquiry form, and let’s get you on your way to hopefully adopting a baby in Texas in the year ahead.
