How to Give Your Baby Up for Adoption in Georgia

What is Adoption in Georgia?

Placing a baby for adoption is a positive, loving, and selfless decision. If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy in Georgia, you may be considering this path. You may be searching for information on how to “give baby up for adoption Georgia.” The first thing to know is, adoption is anything but giving up. Choosing adoption means placing your child’s needs before your own wants. It is a deeply devoted act that will ensure a bright future for your baby.

As you consider “how to put baby up for adoption in Georgia,” it is important to choose an adoption agency that can offer you the assistance you need and deserve. With the right adoption agency by your side, you can access emotional, medical, and financial support throughout the process—all at no cost to you. This professional can work with you every step of the way, ensuring a safe, smooth, and seamless adoption process.

Definition of Adoption

Adoption is the process of placing your baby in the care of another person who is not the biological parent. This person (or people) takes legal responsibility for the child and has full parental rights. Anyone touched by adoption – birth parents, adoptive parents, or those who have been adopted – knows that it is much more than a legal status. For expectant/birth parents, adoption is an opportunity to give their child a better life than they may be able to provide. For adoptive families, adoption is a way to grow their families. For adopted children, it is often a means to a happy life full of love, stability, and opportunities.

Georgia State Adoption Laws and Regulations

Adoption laws are complex and vary by state. It is important to have an adoption professional working with you to have access to a Georgia adoption attorney. This professional can help you understand your rights as an expectant/birth parent and guide you through the adoption process, answering any questions you may have along the way. According to Georgia adoption laws, for example, birth mothers may consent to adoption no sooner than 24 hours after giving birth. There is a four-day revocation period. The biological father may consent to the adoption any time – before or after – the baby’s birth.

Adoption is Not Giving Up

It is important to know that giving a baby up for adoption in Georgia is NOT giving up. Adoption is a brave and selfless decision that comes from a place of love. Whether you are not ready to raise a child or did not intend to have a baby, adoption allows you to plan for your child’s life. You can do this with the support of an adoption agency serving Georgia.

There are many benefits to choosing adoption. Birth parents who choose adoption often go on to pursue their own personal and professional goals, such as college and a career. Meanwhile, many maintain a positive relationship with their child’s adoptive family. Expectant/birth parents also have the power to choose the adoptive family for their child. This communication with the parents they have selected often gives birth mothers great peace of mind. You can rest assured your child is enjoying a life of opportunity in a home that is safe, stable, and full of love.

Reasons for Considering Adoption in Georgia

Personal Circumstances

Adoption is a deeply personal decision. People choose to place their baby for adoption for a variety of reasons. You may not be in a financially stable place right now. You may not be in a positive living situation, or you may not feel emotionally prepared for parenthood. Parenthood is a lifelong commitment and can be extremely challenging for anyone who is not ready or well prepared for the journey. You may know that parenthood is not the right choice right now, but you do not want to – or cannot – get an abortion. Whatever your reason(s), they are valid.

Providing a Better Future for Your Child

As we mentioned, the term “give a baby up for adoption” is a common expression in everyday life, but it is a misleading one. If you are considering this path, you are considering dedicating yourself to a pregnancy and birth that will lead to a child’s brighter future ahead with an adoptive family. Instead of saying “give up,” you are choosing to “place my baby for adoption in Georgia.” Most children placed for adoption go on to live happy and healthy lives full of love and opportunity. Most children in open adoptions report having positive feelings about their adoption arrangement. It is a beautiful choice to make for your child’s future.

Types of Adoption in Georgia

Open Adoption

Open adoption can look different for everyone, but it simply means there is ongoing communication between birth and adoptive families. It can also involve choosing your child’s adoptive parents. If you decide to “give baby up for adoption in Georgia” (remember, it is NOT giving up,) you may opt for an open adoption in Georgia. This is the most common type of adoption today, but it is not the only choice you have.

Closed Adoption

Some expectant/birth parents are overwhelmed at the idea of an open adoption. That is okay. For some, a closed adoption is the right choice. This means there is no communication – or personal information shared – between birth and adoptive parents. Adoptions With Love respects the choices of birth mothers and keeps photos and letters on file, should you decide to have a closed adoption but open it later.

Semi-Open Adoption

A semi-open adoption plan, as the name might suggest, is a plan that lands between open and closed adoption. You may want to choose your child’s adoptive family – and even speak with them before making your decision – but then keep communication limited. You may choose to keep communication between your adoption professional. You can choose the exact, custom-designed plan that meets your needs and makes you feel comfortable with the adoption plan. There is no right or wrong way to plan an adoption.

Want Help Creating an Adoption Plan?

Choosing an Adoption Agency in Georgia

Choosing the right Georgia adoption agency is the most important step of the adoption process. This professional will be working closely with you throughout the adoption journey. You should look for an agency that is fully licensed and has the experience and reputation to back up their services. Adoptions With Love, for example, has been working with Georgia expectant/birth mothers since 1986. Our comprehensive adoption services cover everything from legal and emotional support to adoption placement and financial assistance.

How to Give My Baby up for Adoption in Georgia?

1.     Contact a Licensed Adoption Agency in Georgia

Choosing the right agency for support is crucial to your adoption journey. Look for an adoption agency you can trust. This professional will discuss all your options with you, listen to your needs, and respect any decision you make.

Your adoption agency should be available every hour of the day and every step of the way, offering the support you deserve. Choose an adoption agency with expert, compassionate counselors who can meet with you (at your convenience) to guide you through this unexpected journey. Additionally, be sure that this adoption agency is experienced in the Georgia adoption process.

2.     Discuss Your Options with an Adoption Counselor

Once you have found the right adoption agency in Georgia, you can begin to think about your options. When it comes to pregnancies in Georgia, you have three basic options:

• Parenthood
• Adoption
• Termination

There have been recent changes to abortion laws in many states, including Georgia. Your adoption professional can give you unbiased, straightforward advice regarding your current options, all while giving you the respect you deserve.

At Adoptions With Love, we encourage you to take time to consider all your options. Adoption is a lifelong decision, and we want you to be comfortable and confident that the decision you make is the best one for your child. We will respect any decision you make.

3.     Create a Personalized Adoption Plan

Adoption is a lifelong journey. It does not end after your child has been placed, and it does not have to end your relationship with your child. If you choose adoption, you will have the option to design an open adoption plan. This means that you can keep in touch with your child’s adoptive family and your child over the years.

Open adoption is a positive choice for many, but it does not mean that it is the only path you can take. If you would like to create an open adoption plan in Georgia, we can outline this in an open adoption agreement. We can also facilitate any communication with your child down the road. Our trained counselors will help you as you explore all the potential options for post-adoption contact.

4.     Choose an Adoptive Family

As an expectant/birth parent in Georgia, you will be given the option to choose a family for your baby. This choice is yours to make. Adoptions With Love will listen to your wants and needs to understand what qualities you are looking for in an adoptive family.

All the families at Adoptions With Love have written letters and put together photo albums so that you can get to know them. You can take as much time as you need looking through these albums to find the perfect adoptive family. If you would like, you can also meet them in person.

In Georgia, it is required that all potential adoptive families be thoroughly screened and evaluated by a licensed adoption agency. This helps ensure your baby is placed in a loving family and stable home. All the waiting families at AWL, therefore, have gone through an extensive home study process and completed a series of background checks to ensure they are ready to raise a child.

5.     Receive Financial and Emotional Support

Facing an unplanned pregnancy can cause extreme financial strain. This is a stressful circumstance to face. To alleviate that stress and financial hardship, expectant/birth mothers may receive financial assistance. At Adoptions With Love, anyone planning adoption for their child can receive financial support in the following areas:

• Medical care
• Utility bills
• Phone bills
• Housing (rent and deposits)
• Transportation costs
• Food bills
• Maternity clothes

Adoptions With Love also covers counseling services. Expectant/birth mothers are urged to pursue counseling before and after the adoption.

6.     Legal Consent and Placement

Legal support is also critical during the adoption journey. You need a Georgia adoption attorney who will offer you guidance, information, and support throughout this process. This professional can help you understand the adoption process, such as when consent can be given. In the State of Georgia, birth mothers must wait at least 24 hours after giving birth before signing consent forms. This consent must be put into writing and witnessed by a notary and another adult. Consent may be revoked, but the revocation must happen within four days of signing.

7.     Post-Placement Support and Contact

Adoption is a lifelong journey. When your child has been placed and the paperwork is filed, the adoption itself is complete. Your next chapter, however, is only just beginning. If you have chosen a semi-open or open adoption, you can look forward to building meaningful, lifelong relationships with your child and their adoptive family. You can enjoy years of photo and letter updates, and many years of direct (or indirect, if you choose a semi-open adoption) contact. Your adoption agency can help you navigate these relationships and your post-adoption contact agreement for the many years of your child’s upbringing.

Financial Assistance and Resources

Medical Expenses

Finances can be an extremely stressful factor in an unplanned pregnancy. This includes medical expenses. At Adoptions With Love, we can help you find a doctor or midwife with whom you feel comfortable and cover any uninsured medical expenses related to the pregnancy and birth – including prenatal and postpartum care.

Living Expenses

Your living expenses are another – most overwhelming – financial burden during an unplanned pregnancy. At Adoptions With Love, expectant/birth mothers in Georgia planning adoption can get assistance with housing, utility bills, phone bills, transportation, food expenses, and maternity clothes.

Legal Fees

Legal services typically come with a premium cost. Having this covered by the Georgia adoption agency, such as Adoptions With Love, is a lifeline for anyone planning an adoption.

Benefits of Making an Adoption Plan in Georgia

There are many benefits of making an adoption plan in Georgia. Some of these include:

• Having a voice. Because of open adoption, you are in the driver’s seat. You can decide which family adopts your baby. You can determine the form and frequency of ongoing communication after the adoption is complete. With the help of your agency serving Georgia, you can custom-design an adoption plan that meets your needs.
• Supportive Services. You can receive ongoing support long after the adoption is complete. You will never feel alone in the adoption journey.
• Meaningful, Lifelong Relationships. Open adoption means ongoing relationships that can last a lifetime. If you choose to make an open adoption plan for your child, you will enjoy a relationship with your child’s adoptive family and – eventually – your child. Adoption is not “goodbye forever.” It is, in fact, only the beginning.
• Benefits for both Birth Parents and the Baby. An estimated 90 percent of adopted children over the age of 5 report having positive feelings about their adoption. Additionally, birth parents can go on to have a fulfilling life, as well. Women who opt for adoption are more likely to finish their education and pursue career goals as opposed to those who parent before they are ready.

Frequently Asked Questions About Adoption in Georgia

What are my unplanned pregnancy options in Georgia?

You have the right to choose between three basic options when facing an unplanned pregnancy in Georgia: adoption, parenthood, and termination. Check with your adoption agency for the latest laws regarding abortion rights, rights for birth parents, and information about adoption.

Do birth mothers get paid to place a baby for adoption in Georgia?

While birth mothers do not get financial compensation for their adoption, they do benefit from the other financial assistance offered during and shortly after pregnancy.

What are the birth parents’ rights in Georgia?

In Georgia, no birth mother can sign legal adoption documents until at least 24 hours after the baby is born. There is a four (4) day revocation period after signing consents to the adoption. The biological father can sign legal papers before the baby’s birth. As an expectant/birth parent, you have the right to choose a family for your baby and create an adoption plan with which you are comfortable. See your adoption professional for the latest and most accurate laws regarding parental rights in Georgia.

How can I find adoptive parents for my baby?

Your adoption professional can help you find the perfect parents for your child. At Adoptions With Love, expectant/birth parents can browse the profiles of the many hopeful adoptive parents who are ready to raise and love a child.

Is it too late to place my baby for adoption in Georgia?

It is never too late to make an adoption plan in Georgia. Whether you are in your third trimester or you have already given birth, Adoptions With Love can help you make an adoption plan that meets your needs.

Can you change your mind if you give your baby up for adoption in Georgia?

Once you have signed the consent form for adoption in Georgia, it cannot be reversed. Adoptions With Love encourages expectant/birth mothers to take their time considering adoption before making their final decision. We want to make sure you are confident in your decision.

When can you sign for consent in Georgia?

In Georgia, a birth mother must wait at least 24 hours after giving birth before consenting to the adoption. There is a revocation window, but it is only four days, and it must be put into writing.

Can you change your mind about adoption?

Before consenting to adoption in writing, you can change your mind about adoption at any time. There is no commitment before the consent forms are signed and parental rights are relinquished. Once they are signed, you have a four-day window to revoke your decision, but it is best to take all the time you need before signing the consent forms. It is never too late to make an adoption plan.

What if the father is unknown or uninvolved?

Birth father rights typically vary based on the relationship with the birth mother. If the two are unwed, and the father has not claimed paternity, his consent may not be required. It is best to consult your adoption agency and attorney for specific information regarding your child’s birth father and his rights.

Choose Adoptions With Love in Georgia

The first step in making an adoption plan in Georgia is to find and connect with an adoption agency.

Adoption is a life-changing, lifelong journey. At Adoptions With Love, we want you to know that we will also always be here for you – to help you navigate emotions or if you simply want to talk. We encourage you to pursue our ongoing counseling and support services after your baby is placed. These services are 100% confidential and available at no cost to you.

Wherever you live in Georgia – Atlanta, Savannah, Columbus, Augusta, or anywhere in between – we can work with you and help you every step of the way in your adoption journey.

Whether you have just discovered you are pregnant, are in your third trimester, or have already given birth, know that it is not too late to make an adoption plan. Contact us today at (617) 964-4357 or text us at 617-777-0072 for more information on adoption in Georgia. Adoptions With Love is a private, compassionate adoption agency serving expectant/birth mothers in Georgia.

To learn about the different areas we service, or to find the specific adoption steps in your state, please visit adoptionswithlove.org/areas-we-service.