What is Agency Adoption?

Agency adoption is an adoptive placement that is conducted through either public or private child placing agency. Residents of Maryland or the District of Columbia may work with public and private agencies located in Maryland or D,C. or anywhere in the United States.   ..

Revocation Period

In Maryland a birth parent has 30 calendar days to revoke their consent to an adoption.  In the District of Columbia consent is irrevocable upon execution for a private adoption and a birth parent has 7 days to revoke their consent to adoption if the baby is placed through an agency. 

What expenses can be paid to the birth parent(s)?

In both Maryland and the District of Columbia an adoptive family may only pay for medical and legal services related to the adoption for the birth family.  The medical expenses include the cost of counseling for the birth parents.  Maryland and the District of Columbia prohibit paying for living expenses or providing clothing, food or gifts to a birth family 

Birth Families

 If you are an expectant parent wanting to make an adoption plan for your child, Jennifer can be of help to you.  Jennifer represents many birth mothers and birth fathers each year who wish to place their child without relying on an agency list of potential adoptive families.  Jennifer offers free consultations to birth families by phone or in person to discuss your legal rights and options.  Use the contact form on this website to send your inquiry or call Jennifer Fairfax, LLC today to ask about your options for private adoption.

In both Maryland and the District of Columbia birth parents have the right to make an adoption plan through an agency or independently.  Prior to choosing the option for you, Jennifer can explain the legal process for agency and independent adoption and advise you of your rights.  As an informed expectant parent, you can have more confidence in your adoption plan.  If you wish to place your child for adoption independently, Jennifer can provide you information on how to locate an adoptive family safely and once you select an adoptive family can represent you through the adoption process whether you select a family in Maryland or D.C. or in another jurisdiction. 

It is important to know up front that Maryland and the District of Columbia prohibits an attorney or a facilitator from matching a birth family with an adoptive family.  Jennifer will not find an adoptive family for you.  Jennifer will help you formulate an adoption plan and provide you information to allow you to locate a family on your own during the initial consultation which usually last between 1 - 2 hours.  Once you have selected a family, Jennifer can represent you in the adoptive process from that point forward if you wish.  Once you select and adoptive family and they agree to work with you it is deemed a "match."  Once there is a match, adopting parents will cover the birth parents legal fees which will be discussed with their attorney prior to proceeding.