Advocates for Children and Families

ACF Adoptive Parent Services

ACF Domestic Adoption Program

Client Rights and Responsibilities

ACF Statement of Values and Code of Ethics

Why Should Prospective Adoptive Parents Choose Domestic Adoption?

Download ACF Application Packet

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ACF Domestic Adoption Program

Through birth parent choice ACF child adoption services, places newborn or very young children throughout the United States and internationally into the loving homes of the adoptive parents.

The wait time for placement through ACF is estimated at 6 - 18 months from approved home study.

ACF's policies and screening practices are inclusive. There are few set requirements regarding age, marital, or financial status for the prospective adoptive parents. Each of our adoptive parent families is considered on an individual basis.

ACF Child Adoption Procedures and Fee Schedule for Prospective Adoptive Parents

Step 1 Preliminary Application

Preliminary/Application Fee : $ 100.00

Upon request, we will send you an application to complete and return to us.

Step 2 Personal Interview or Teleconference

$ 350.00

We will contact you after reviewing your application for being adoptive parents. Acceptance of your application determines the month and year of placement on our chronological list. To be eligible for placement consideration, you must then complete the application process by visiting our office for a personal interview, and providing us with a current adoption home study and family profile that conform to our standards. Without those items, your application is not complete.

At the face-to-face meeting, you will have the opportunity to ask any questions that you may have about our program, and to share with us your expectations of the adoption process, and any special circumstances you want us to consider. This interview is important to us because it allows us to get to know you (the potential adoptive parents) personally.

If geographical distance or other situations make a visit too difficult, we will consider substituting a teleconference, with both spouses if applicable, so long as we have your home study and application fee in advance.

Step 3 Home Study

Intercountry - $2,500.00 Domestic - $ 1,850.00

For Florida residents, ACF can conduct your home study. If you reside outside of Florida, you are responsible for arranging a home study in your home state or country, by an adoption agency or professional licensed for that purpose. All non-ACF home studies for possible adoptive parents must be evaluated before acceptance.

Step 4 Match: Case Management

$ 8,500.00

When a prospective adoption is presented to you, you will receive a written narrative describing the birth family’s background information, and the estimated total cost of the adoption. The pre-placement portion of the case management fee is payable at the time you commit to a specific child or birth mother. In most cases, a cost deposit for birth mother and other out of pocket expenses will also be required at this time. This cost deposit will reduce the amount due at Step 5, placement, as set forth in the written estimate.

Step 5 Balance of Agency Fees, Costs, and Advertising Reimbursement

$19,000.00 and up

Each adoption is unique and costs do vary. The balance of the cost of the adoption, which was estimated at Step 4, is due at this time. The cost will vary according to the particular circumstances of each case. Costs may include counseling, obstetrical, hospital and pediatric care, living expenses, legal and court costs, interstate compact processing, finalization of the adoption, and other miscellaneous expenses. ACF agency fees include an advertising line item which is charged at the time of placement with the adoptive parents, as well as a fee for legal services through finalization. The placement fee includes all of the above.

Step 6 Post-placement

$300 per visit

Post placement supervision commences during this period, involving additional costs and home visits by your caseworker. At the conclusion of post placement supervision, a detailed report and recommendation will be submitted to the Court, and the adoption may be finalized.

Most ACF agency services are quoted on a flat rate basis before the service is rendered. For cases involving limited or unique services, the hourly fee for agency services is $250 per hour.

ACF is a charitable organization recognized under Section 501c(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. However, ACF will not accept actual or promised donations from any current adoptive parent applicants during the period between application and finalization of the adoption.

Refund Policy: ACF charges only for services rendered and costs incurred. If a match fails to proceed to placement, any balance remaining after all obligations have been satisfied will be refunded.

ACF reserves the right to make adjustments and fee waivers under special circumstances.

To view some of our testimonials, click here.

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Those wanting to become adoptive parents should download the ACF Adoption Application Packet today!

Packet Contents:

Why Should The Prospective Adoptive Parents Choose Domestic Adoption?

Adoptive parents have the opportunity to participate in the birth of the child.
Adoptive parents come into the child's life at a very young age, often newborn.
Birth parents have access to good prenatal care and adoptive parents and adoptees have access to prenatal and postnatal medical records
All of the adoptive parents have access to detailed birth and delivery information, as well as medical and social background history and information about each other.
Adoptive parents can meet birth parents and preserve photos of them for the child.
Open adoptions are possible and more convenient when international barriers are not involved.
The adopted child may have fewer transcultural or transracial issues, and feel less of a "transplant” in the home of the adoptive parents.
There is no need for out of country travel and unanticipated extra expenses. The cost of domestic adoptions is easier to predict and control.
Adoptive parents need not incorporate the child's country of origin into their lives, with all of the accompanying lifelong obligations that are important to the child.
The adoptee's opportunity to initiate and maintain contact with biological relatives is greatly enhanced while living with their domestic adoptive parents.
The legal aspects of the adoption are easier to understand, and are accomplished in English in American courts of law. Foreign government bureaucracies, as well as American immigration rules, can be unpredictable and difficult for the prospective adoptive parents.

Other Services

Adoptive Parents

Advocates for Children and Families (ACF) presents you with screened and approved families who are eager to start or expand their family through adoption. These loving adoptive parents are all ready to adopt a child. For more info on Adoptive Parents.

Testimonials

View some of our testimonials.

Adoption FAQs

What is Adoption?
Birth Parents
How to Adopt a Child
Types of Adoption
Cost of Adoption