Adoptive Parents

Adoption is man’s legal way of establishing a family with children who are loved and valued. Each person in the process- the birthparents, the adoptive parents and the child – must be respected and nurtured.

AGAPE strives to keep in mind eternal principles. Children are a gift from God and need the very best that you can provide. The caring parent must be able to teach a child that the world needs him or her in order to make the world a better place. Giving a home to a child is just the beginning of caring for a child.

Steps to Adoption

1. Contact the Social Services secretary at AGAPE of North Alabama for informational packets and forms.
2. Return the completed forms to our offices with an application fee of $125.00.
3. You will be contacted by our staff to plan your home study when your forms have been reviewed and approved by AGAPE and the State of Alabama.
4. All states require home studies for adoptive families. A home study consists of family interviews in the home and in AGAPE's offices, as well as verification of marriage, criminal background checks, verification of financial stability, personal references and training on adoption and other issues. AGAPE's home studies - for both domestic and international studies - are completed by licensed social workers.
5. Birth parents may choose to meet prospective adoptive parents in open domestic adoptions.
6. Eventually, a court finalizes each adoption; the adoptive family selects its own attorney to help finalize the legal process on its behalf.
7. In addition to the $125.00 application fee, there are other fees charged by AGAPE. Based upon the individual demands of each adoption, those fees will be shared with you during the adoption process.

Adoptive Parent FAQ

1. Why do people consider adoption?

Most people want to share the love they have in their hearts with children needing a permanent home.

2. What is a home study?

Whether you plan to adopt domestically or internationally, your home study will be the first step you will take in the adoption process. A home study is required for every adoption. The home study is a document written by a licensed social worker after visits to the home to meet with you, and it provides a portrait of your family. Simply put, your home study is an overview of you and your family. It helps your adoption agency and all the administrative bodies involved in the adoption process ( the State Office of Adoptions, Immigration, the court systems, etc.) to determine if a stable environment exists for a child to received for adoptive placement into that particular home.

3. Domestic vs. international adoption—which is right for my family?

AGAPE can be your local home study agency as you pursue either domestic or international adoption. Which one you choose is an important matter for you to decide as your family begins the home study process. Children from many countries are available for adoption. Usually the children are not newborns. We encourage you to call an AGAPE social worker, who will guide you in your research on international placement agencies. All adoptions require a flexible mindset and for you to be able to negotiate the changing landscape of the adoptive journey, with the goal of providing a forever family and a forever home for a child.

4. Is there any financial assistance available for adoption?

Many couples take out loans or receive assistance form their faith community/Church towards an adoption. Presently, federal law permits a tax credit for adoption fees. The current federal tax credit is $11,650.