Adoption in Richmond [The Complete Guide]

The 6 Steps of the Richmond Adoption Process

We know that, if you’re hoping to adopt a child or you need to learn how to place a baby for adoption in Richmond, you want the process to be as simple and smooth as possible. Richmond adoptions are a life-changing experience for everyone involved. We’ll be here to ensure that your Richmond adoption process is completed correctly and in accordance with all Virginia adoption laws. Ready to begin? Contact us now to schedule your consultation.

Unsure about how adoption in Richmond, Virginia, works? The following guide will take you through everything you need to know, step by step:

Step 1: Choose adoption.

Choosing to adopt a child or to place a baby for adoption in Richmond can be a hard choice for many prospective birth and adoptive parents. For others, the choice is easy and clear. Wherever you’re at in the decision-making process, we’ll always be here to provide you with support, the answers to your questions and the information you need to make a fully-informed decision you feel confident in.

Step 2: Choose the adoption type and professional.

Ready to move forward with the process of adoption in Richmond? Now it’s time for the adoptive parents to decide which type of adoption they wish to pursue, and to choose a professional that can assist them with that specific type of adoption, whether that's:

• Domestic or international
• Public (foster care) or private (direct infant placement)
• If private, agency-assisted or independent (without an agency)

We’re able to help you with all of these types of adoption in Richmond and more. Again, adoptive parents will typically work with a primary professional that can complete the type of Richmond adoption placement that they want. Prospective birth parents may also wish to contact a primary professional who can help them get access to the support services they need.

No matter what type of adoption you choose and what primary professional you may decide to work with, we'll be able to guide you through the complex legal steps in your Richmond adoption journey. Working with an experienced and licensed Richmond adoption attorney like Catelyn or Jennifer is not optional – it's the most important thing you can do to protect everyone involved.

Step 3: Create your adoption plan.

Next, the prospective birth and adoptive parents are asked to consider what they envision in an ideal Richmond adoption situation. The adoptive parents will want to consider what types of adoption opportunities they’d be open to accepting. The prospective birth parents will need to think about the type of adoptive family they want for their child, how open they’d like the adoption to be and more.

Regardless of what you’re looking for in an ideal Richmond adoption situation, we’ll be there to help ensure that your interests, wishes and rights are respected throughout the process.

Step 4: Find an adoption opportunity.

Depending on the path you’ve chosen, how you find a Richmond adoption opportunity will vary:

• In an international or public agency (foster care) adoption, the agency will notify the adoptive family regarding a child who is currently waiting to be adopted.
• In independent domestic adoptions in Richmond (without an agency), pregnant women and hopeful parents must find one another on their own, often online or through personal acquaintances.
• In private domestic agency adoptions, pregnant women view profiles of waiting adoptive families to choose their child’s future parents, then the agency guides and supports the match.

Once you’ve found your Richmond adoption opportunity, you must be separately represented by individual adoption lawyers in Richmond. Why? Because separately representing the two parties is the best way to ensure that your Richmond adoption is ethical and completed with everyone's needs in mind. If you need a referral to a second trusted adoption attorney in Richmond, we’re happy to help.

Step 5: Complete placement.

This is the most emotional and life-changing moment in the Richmond adoption process. But, it’s also a step that must be completed in careful and thorough adherence to Virginia adoption laws. We'll be there to safely guide you through the legal process of placement so that you can focus on this big moment.

Step 6: Complete finalization and begin post-adoption life.

In this last legal step of Richmond adoptions, the child becomes a permanent and official member of his or her new family. This is another exciting and emotional moment that must be completed in strict adherence to Virginia adoption laws. Finalization provides one last look at the adoption at hand, to ensure that everything has been completed correctly in the eyes of the law. With us at your side, we’ll make finalization a smooth and positive experience.

Why You Need a Richmond Adoption Attorney

Many Richmond adoption professionals are optional, but that may benefit you and those involved. Working with a good Richmond adoption lawyer, however, is not optional. You must always partner with a knowledgeable and experienced adoption attorney in Richmond if you want to guarantee the legal and emotional safety of everyone involved.

Catelyn and Jennifer have been advocates and guides for so many birth and adoptive parents in Richmond and the surrounding area, and they can be that for you, too. Contact us now to schedule your consultation, and to begin the process of adoption in Richmond, Virginia.