How to Give Your Baby Up for Adoption in Georgia [You are Not Giving Up]

Are you considering adoption for your baby? Adoption is one of the most loving decisions you can make for your child. It is also one of the hardest decisions you will ever make in your life. If you want to give your baby up for adoption in Georgia, you have come to the right place. At Adoptions With Love, we want you to know that you do not have to make this decision alone. The compassionate staff at Adoptions With Love is here to answer your questions, to educate you on adoption in Georgia, and to help you make the most positive, informed choice for you and your baby. Whether you are facing an unplanned pregnancy or have already given birth to your baby, we extend our support to you.

Placing Your Baby for Adoption in Georgia Does Not Mean “Giving Up”

It is important to know that giving a baby up for adoption in Georgia is NOT the same as giving up. Adoption is a brave and selfless decision that comes from a place of love. Whether you are not yet ready to parent, or did not intend on having a baby, adoption allows you to make a 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.

How to Place Your Baby for Adoption in Georgia

1. Choose an adoption agency in Georgia to support you.

Choosing the right agency support is crucial to your adoption journey. There are so many adoption professionals out there today that it can be hard to know if you are making the right choice. We recommend that you find an adoption agency you can trust. Choose an adoption agency that 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. Talk about 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 of 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. Choose an adoption plan.

Adoption is a lifelong experience. 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 as the years go on.

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. If you are not comfortable with openness, you can always choose a semi-open or closed adoption plan. 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. We will then show you several waiting families who may be a match for your child.

All of 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 in 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 are 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. Understand Georgia’s adoption laws.

Adoption laws vary state to state. If you choose to make an adoption plan, it is important that you also take time to understand the adoption process in your area. In Georgia, no mother can sign legal adoption documents until at least 24 hours after the baby is born. Then there is a four (4) day revocation period. This gives birth mothers a chance to meet their baby and additional time to think about their choice. In Georgia, the biological father is allowed to sign legal papers prior to the baby’s birth.

Adoptions With Love partners with knowledgeable adoption attorneys who are specifically trained in Georgia adoptions. They can meet with you – wherever you are – to help walk you through the legal process. This service – among the many others offered at Adoptions With Love – is always free of charge for expectant/birth parents.

6. Continue with ongoing support services.

The support of an adoption agency does not end after the placement of your baby. At Adoptions With Love, we want you to know that we will always be here for you – to help you navigate emotions after the adoption takes place. We encourage you to pursue our ongoing counseling and support services in the months and years following the adoption. Some of the free services offered to expectant/birth mothers include:

• Complete counseling
• Help designing your adoption plan
• Assistance finding quality medical care
• Housing assistance 
• Financial assistance
• Legal assistance
• Ongoing Contact

These services are 100% confidential and available at no cost to you.

Benefits of Making an Adoption Plan in Georgia

There are many benefits of making an adoption plan in Georgia. Some of these benefits 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. With an adoption in Georgia through a reputable adoption agency, you are able to 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 Parent and Baby. An estimated 90 percent of adopted children over the age of 5 report having positive feelings about their adoption. Adopted children are more likely to be read to, sung to, and told stories every day. 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 baby for adoption in Georgia?

While birth mothers do not get financial compensation for their adoption, they do benefit from the many other financial assistance offered during and shortly after pregnancy. Adoptions With Love can cover a security deposit and several months of rent, utility bills, medical costs, the costs of maternity clothes, and more.

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 is allowed to sign legal papers prior to 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 in considering adoption before making their final decision. We want to make sure you are confident in your decision.

How to Start Your Adoption Journey 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, Augusta, or anywhere in between – we can work with you and help you every step of the way in your adoption journey.

Whether you 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 1-800-722-7731 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 steps of adoption in your state, please visit adoptionswithlove.org/areas-we-service.