Searching for the adoption agencies in Alabama?
People who have adopted babies and children know the benefits of doing so. These can include a closer family, extended family, and financial stability.
The process isn’t always easy; in fact, it can be quite difficult and lengthy. That’s why this blog was created to help parents learn more about adoption agencies in Alabama.
Alabama is a state in the southeastern region of the United States. The state is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi and Louisiana to the west.
Alabama has a population that is approximately 4.8 million people, making it one of the most populous states in America. Alabama has a rich religious history with different denominations represented throughout its pastures.
If you’re interested in adoption from any type of agency, we’ve compiled a list of many adoption agencies in Alabama.
If you live in Alabama and would like to start the adoption process, there are 14 agencies listed below that help in finding you a child to foster under your care.
Alabama has many wonderful families that have children that are looking for proper homes.
Thus, if you’re considering adoption, an Alabama adoption agency can lead you in the right direction.
Are Children Available for Adoption in Alabama?
For anyone interested in adopting a child, Alabama is an ideal state. The number of children available for adoption in Alabama is high – approximately 6,000, according to Sharen Ford; this is not surprising given the fact that it’s one of the most popular states for international adoption.
Alabama also has a high need for foster and adoptive families. The Department of Human Resources cares for nearly 10,000 children in foster care at any given time — that’s almost half as many as other states with similar populations.
How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Child in Alabama?
The cost of adoption varies by agency. Some agencies may offer a discount if you adopt more than one child at once or are adopting through open adoption, where both adoptive and birth parents meet throughout the pregnancy. The average cost to adopt is $30,000. But that does not even answer the question. There are more ways than one to adopt a child in Alabama. Consequently, some of these processes are cheaper than others.
For example, adopting through a foster care system cost “virtually nothing.” In some cases, families may pay up to $2,000 to adopt a child. Most notably, the Alabama Department of Human Resources noted that no fees are paid for adoption home study, nor the placement of the children when you adopt through them.
If you’re unable to pay for any portion of your adoption expenses upfront, most agencies have payment plans that may be flexible based on your situation (for example, if you’re receiving a tax refund or selling something).
You may also be able to receive assistance from some government programs like Medicaid or WIC benefits that cover medical care costs related to pregnancy and childbirth.
How Do I Adopt a Baby in Alabama?
If you are interested in adopting a child, there are several steps involved. First, you will need to meet the minimum requirements:
- You must be at least 21 years old.
- You must be married if your spouse is not able to adapt with you (but they may be included on the adoption consent).
- You must have steady employment and an income that can support a family of three or more children.
- For those who want to adopt internationally, you must be a United States citizen and have been for at least five years.
International adoptions are more expensive than domestic ones because of their complexity and additional regulations from the U.S., as well as travel expenses for both parties involved (the birth mother/fathers).
These are just some of the requirements that apply when adopting through an agency; many others will depend on your personal situation and preferences when selecting an agency. You can read the adoption laws in Alabama to learn more about the statutes that govern adoption in the state.
The List of Adoption Agencies in Alabama
These are the adoption agencies in Alabama at the time of writing this article.
We have also included their address details and contact so you can reach them to learn more about these agencies.
A Angel Adoptions
Address: PO Box 702, Helena, AL 35080.
Phone: (205) 621-0316
Fax: (205) 621-0379
Toll-Free: (800) 523-5720
A Angel Adoptions is an independently-owned, non-profit agency that works with children and families to help them achieve their dreams of adoption.
The agency is based in Alabama, and it offers services throughout the state. A Angel Adoptions also takes on cases from surrounding states as well.
Furthermore, A Angel Adoptions has been working with families since when it was founded by two licensed social workers who were passionate about helping children find loving families.
Today, they continue their mission of helping children find homes by offering adoption services designed to meet each family’s needs.
At A Angel Adoptions you can expect:
- Christian training for parents who are adopting through the Catholic Church or as Protestants.
- Family support from a dedicated staff member throughout your journey toward adoption.
AGAPE of Central Alabama, Inc
Address: PO Box 230472, 2813 Mastin Lake Road, Suite 200 Montgomery, AL 36123.
Phone: (334) 272-9466
Fax: (334) 272-0378
Toll-Free: (800) 239-1020
AGAPE of Central Alabama is a faith-based adoption agency that serves the Central Alabama area.
The organization is licensed by the Department of Human Resources and accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA). AGAPE of Central Alabama also holds membership in the National Council for Adoption (NCFA), and the Alabama Birthmother Support Group (ABMSG).
AGAPE’s services include domestic infant adoption, international adoption, direct placement adoptions, foster care adoptions, special needs adoptions (including sibling groups and children with medical issues), and post-adoption support services for families who have adopted from AGAPE or other agencies.
AGAPE of North Alabama, Inc
Address: PO Box 3887 Huntsville, AL 35810.
Phone: (256) 859-4481
Fax: (256) 859-4483
AGAPE of North Alabama is a non-profit agency that helps children and families. The agency has been a licensed child-placing agency since 1980, helping children from birth to age 18.
AGAPE of North Alabama:
- Provides adoption services for the following counties: Franklin, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, and Winston Counties.
- Serves families with children from all backgrounds (race/ethnicity, religion) and incomes.
Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries Inc.
Address: PO Box 361767 Birmingham, AL 35236-1767.
Phone: (205) 982-1112
Fax: (205) 982-9992
Toll-Free: (888) 720-8805
Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries Inc has been in business for a long time, providing a number of programs and services to children, families, and communities.
The private-owned organization has a network of seven offices throughout Alabama, including four adoption agencies: Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery, and Mobile.
Additionally, the organization provides foster care services through its Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries Inc. Foster Care Program.
The adoption agency offers many types of adoptions including international adoptions from countries such as China or Ethiopia as well as domestic adoptions within Alabama or other states in the U.S.
In addition to helping families find new homes for children through adoption services like private domestic infant adoptions and domestic foster care placement services (including those who want help with providing housing), ABCHFMI also offers several types of subsidies for families who want to adopt but cannot afford all expenses associated with adopting independently – including attorneys’ fees, court costs, and travel expenses associated with an interstate/international adoption).
Catholic Family Services – Huntsville
Address: 1010 Church Street Huntsville, AL 35804.
Phone: (256) 536-0073
Fax: (256) 534-3141
Catholic Family Services is a private, non-profit organization that offers adoption services in Alabama.
They have a wide range of adoption services, including international, foster care, and domestic adoption.
They also have a large network of volunteers to help with the adoption process.
If you are interested in adopting through Catholic Family Services, they recommend visiting their website to start your application online or calling them (with the number provided above) to speak with one of their adoption coordinators.
Catholic Family Services – Tuscaloosa
Address: 733 37th Street, East Tuscaloosa, AL 35405.
Phone: (205) 553-9046
Catholic Family Services – Tuscaloosa is a private, non-profit agency that provides adoption services in Tuscaloosa County.
Catholic Family Services – Tuscaloosa is a member of the Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes and Family Ministries, a statewide system of children’s homes providing residential treatment for troubled youth and adoption services for many years.
They also provide information about child welfare issues, including foster care and adoption programs across America.
According to their website: ” Since 1989, Catholic Social Services of West Alabama has advocated for the most vulnerable in our community, guided by the basic belief in the inherent dignity of every human being.”
Catholic Family Services – Florence
Address: PO Box 3633, 1111 East College Street, Florence, AL 35630.
Phone: (256) 768-1550
Fax: (256) 768-1551
Catholic Family Services – Florence is a private, non-profit agency that has been providing adoption services. It participates in both private and public or government-funded adoptions.
Catholic Family Services – Florence provides adoption services to anyone who is interested in adopting a child, regardless of religion or reason for wanting to adopt.
Catholic Family Services – Birmingham
Address: 2164 11th Avenue, South Birmingham, AL 35205.
Phone: (205) 324-6561
Catholic Family Services is the state’s largest private adoption agency and has been performing adoptions in Alabama since 1960.
The agency’s services include counseling, support, and advocacy for birth parents while they are pregnant with their child until they can decide whether or not to place their child for adoption.
While there are many barriers to adoption (such as financial and medical concerns), Catholic Family Services works closely with birth parents to ensure that each family is matched appropriately based on their needs.
Couples who wish to adopt will need to complete an application form and submit a fee before seeing if they qualify for this service.
If you don’t have an open mind when it comes to the type of child you want to adopt (whether it be age or gender), this may not be the right agency for you as all children available under Catholic Family Services must meet certain criteria such as health history, mental development level, and race/ethnicity requirements.
Catholic School Social Services of Montgomery
Address: 4455 Narrow Lane Road, Montgomery, AL 36116-2953.
Phone: (334) 288-8890
Fax: (334) 288-9322
Hours of Operation: 8 am – 5 pm Monday through Friday, closed on weekends and most holidays.
CSSS is open during school breaks (Christmas Break, Spring Break) to all children in foster care who do not have a place to go home to while they are on break from school; unless they were already given permission by CSSS staff prior to going out-of-state with their biological families during these times.
CSSS makes it possible for birth parents to adopt their kids to responsible, loving parents.
And they have done so in the United States and the eleven countries surrounding the US. They are one of the go-to adoption agencies in Alabama.
Children’s Aid Society
Address: 181 West Valley Avenue, Suite 300, Homewood, AL 35209.
Phone: (205) 943-5343
Fax: (205) 252-3828
Children’s Aid Society is a private, non-profit agency that provides adoption services to Alabama and surrounding states.
The agency is licensed in Alabama and as a member of the National Council for Adoption (NCFA), the Children’s Aid Society follows all of NCFA’s Code of Ethics guidelines.
Children’s Aid Society works with birth parents from all over Alabama and surrounding states who are choosing adoption for their child.
This is one of the adoption agencies in Alabama that offers free counseling services with an experienced Christian counselor who will help you explore your options before the adoption process begins.
Family Adoption Services, Inc.
Address: 2010 Lancaster Road, Homewood, AL 35209.
Phone: (205) 414-6003
Family Adoption Services, Inc. (FAS) has been providing adoption services to children and families in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Washington D.C. since 1977.
The private agency has a network of over 90 affiliated agencies across the country that have access to FAS’s resources as well as its national database of birth parents and adoptive families from around the world.
In addition to providing traditional domestic infant adoptions for newborns through age 12 years old, FAS also provides special needs adoptions for older children or those with medical issues, international adoptions, sibling group home studies, post-placement services, foster care counseling, referrals for family preservation programs, and permanency planning services through Alabama state-licensed agency partners.
It is one of the adoption agencies in Alabama on a mission.
Southern Social Works Inc.
Address: PO Box 8084, Anniston, AL 36202.
Phone: (256) 237-4990
Fax: (256) 240-9808
This adoption agency is one of the adoption agencies in Alabama in the Anniston area. The organization has been operating since 1982 and is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping families adopt children from foster care.
Their goal is to help strengthen families through adoption and family preservation services, as well as by working with pregnant women who have substance abuse problems or other issues that could affect their unborn babies.
They work with all types of adoptive families—single parents, same-sex couples, step-parents—as well as birth mothers who are choosing between placing their child for adoption or keeping them themselves (this can be called “birth mother care”).
Specialized Alternatives for Families Youth of America (SAFY)
Address: 4770-C Woodmere Boulevard, Montgomery, AL 36106-3084.
Phone: (334) 270-3181
Specialized Alternatives for Families Youth of America (SAFY) is a non-profit organization that provides adoption services to Alabama residents.
The organization has been a member of the National Council for Adoption since 1991 and is also a member of the Alabama Adoption Council.
SAFY works with children who have emotional, physical, or mental disabilities; sibling groups who have been separated; and children who are older or have special needs.
United Methodist Children’s Home (UMCH)
Address: PO Box 8084, 1712 Broad Street, Selma, AL 36702.
Phone: (334) 875-7283
Fax: (334) 875-5161
United Methodist Children’s Home (UMCH) is a private-owned, non-profit agency that provides adoption services to children and families in Alabama.
They are a faith-based agency that is open to all families, regardless of religion.
Wrapping It Up
Congratulations on your decision to become a parent! We know you’ve thought about it for a long time, and we’re happy to help you get started with this list of adoption agencies in Alabama.
We encourage you to reach out to any of these adoption agencies in Alabama when you are ready (if you live in Alabama that is).
We have done our research and found out that each of these adoption agencies in Alabama has more than 20 years of experience working with expectant mothers and birth parents in Alabama, so we are sure that the adoption process will go as smoothly as possible from the start to finish, should you decide to contact any of the adoption agencies in Alabama.