Domestic Adoption
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Want to adopt a newborn? Heartsent's Domestic Program is for you! We can complete your home study assessment, and connect you with an ethical matching entity, including attorneys and other agencies. Once your match is made, if the birth mother lives in California, we also provide pre-placement counseling and resource referrals, before we witness her signature on the adoption paperwork. If she lives out of state, we coordinate with the adoption professionals in her area, and also provide CA-ICPC administration services, post-placement visits and reports for you, and more.
Program Overview
General Eligibility
The Cost
The total cost of a domestic adoption can vary due to a variety of factors, but a typical case ranges from $25,000 - $50,000. You have options for financing your adoption, including the adoption tax credit, employer adoption benefits, adoption loans and grants, and personal loans. Ask us about these option; we love to share this information!
Connecting with an Expectant Mother
Heartsent works directly with expectant mothers who contact us for placement assistance. In addition, some of our families select from an array of adoption professionals (attorneys, agencies, and matching entities, throughout the state and country) who can assist them with the search. This process can take from six months to two years, or longer, depending on the family's search parameters and other factors.
Once a match is accepted on both sides, the adoption professionals will coordinate things such as the expectant mother’s living expenses, prenatal care, insurance, legal actions required, and post-adoption contact agreements.
If the expectant mother is located outside of California, you will typically travel to her area as soon as the child is born. Usually you will remain there for two to three weeks until you receive legal clearance from both states for the child to travel home with you. Regardless of where the child is born, most families will receive physical custody of the child upon hospital discharge, and may also have access to the child at the hospital, depending on pandemic restrictions and other factors.
Happy Ending!
After you are home with your child, Heartsent will assist with the finalization of your adoption and post-placement reports. Most states require our social worker to conduct three to six post-placement visits, over a period of six months or so, before you can finalize the adoption. After that has been completed, either your attorney (if you have one) or Heartsent will help you file finalization paperwork with the court, and set the final hearing.
Long after the ink has dried on the Adoption Order, you will always be part of the Heartsent family. We treasure pictures of your child's first step, holiday pageants, birthdays, graduations, and even weddings. We are part of your forever family, and hope you will keep in touch!
Program Overview
General Eligibility
- Singles and couples are welcome
- Legal adults may adopt a minor who is at least 10 years younger (exceptions made for adoptions by close relatives)
- Prospective adoptive applicants on the younger end and the older end of the age spectrum may face challenges being selected by expectant parents. This is not within Heartsent's control, as the expectant parent has the right to select the adoptive family.
- You will be asked to demonstrate financial and relationship stability, and provide fingerprint clearances and other background checks.
- As long as your home meets basic standards of cleanliness and safety - don't stress! We aren't going to check your sock drawer to see if it's perfectly arranged, nor look under the furniture for dust bunnies. We hope to screen you in, not screen you out.
The Cost
The total cost of a domestic adoption can vary due to a variety of factors, but a typical case ranges from $25,000 - $50,000. You have options for financing your adoption, including the adoption tax credit, employer adoption benefits, adoption loans and grants, and personal loans. Ask us about these option; we love to share this information!
Connecting with an Expectant Mother
Heartsent works directly with expectant mothers who contact us for placement assistance. In addition, some of our families select from an array of adoption professionals (attorneys, agencies, and matching entities, throughout the state and country) who can assist them with the search. This process can take from six months to two years, or longer, depending on the family's search parameters and other factors.
Once a match is accepted on both sides, the adoption professionals will coordinate things such as the expectant mother’s living expenses, prenatal care, insurance, legal actions required, and post-adoption contact agreements.
If the expectant mother is located outside of California, you will typically travel to her area as soon as the child is born. Usually you will remain there for two to three weeks until you receive legal clearance from both states for the child to travel home with you. Regardless of where the child is born, most families will receive physical custody of the child upon hospital discharge, and may also have access to the child at the hospital, depending on pandemic restrictions and other factors.
Happy Ending!
After you are home with your child, Heartsent will assist with the finalization of your adoption and post-placement reports. Most states require our social worker to conduct three to six post-placement visits, over a period of six months or so, before you can finalize the adoption. After that has been completed, either your attorney (if you have one) or Heartsent will help you file finalization paperwork with the court, and set the final hearing.
Long after the ink has dried on the Adoption Order, you will always be part of the Heartsent family. We treasure pictures of your child's first step, holiday pageants, birthdays, graduations, and even weddings. We are part of your forever family, and hope you will keep in touch!