7 Questions You May Have About LGBTQ Adoption in Arizona

Adoption laws are constantly changing. Because of this, you may be questioning what same-sex adoption laws in Arizona do or do not allow.

To help you find the information you are looking for about Arizona adoption laws on gay adoption, LGBTQ-friendly adoption agencies in Arizona, and other thoughts or concerns you may have, we have created this question-and-answer guide. 

As one of the largest national domestic infant adoption agencies in the United States, American Adoptions is proud to work with LGBTQ families — and we would be honored to be a part of your adoption, too. 

Anytime you have questions, or just want to speak with a professional, you can fill out this online form to get in touch with an adoption specialist. They will be able to help you with all of your adoption questions and needs and can get you started on your adoption journey whenever you're ready.

In the meantime, continue reading to learn more about how we can help with your Arizona same-sex adoption.

Questions and Answers about LGBTQ Adoption in Arizona

With the impact politics consistently has on Arizona same-sex adoption laws, it is completely natural to have questions (and maybe even concerns) about where we currently stand. Below you will find some of the most common questions and answers we hear about same-sex adoption laws in Arizona.

Can same-sex couples adopt in Arizona?

Yes. Gay adoption was legalized in Arizona in 2014, lifting the Arizona gay adoption ban. So, if you’re wondering, “Can gay couples adopt in Arizona? Is same-sex adoption legal in Arizona?” then are happy to say that the answer is always, “yes” with our agency.

What are the Arizona laws on same-sex couples?

No matter your sexual orientation, Arizona law states that any adult 18 or older is eligible to adopt — therefore you are allowed to adopt as a married couple. Keep in mind, just like a heterosexual couple, you will have to follow all Arizona adoption requirements, including the first and longest step of the adoption process, your adoption home study.

Can gays adopt in Arizona if they are not in a relationship?

According to Arizona adoption law, not being in a relationship does not prevent you from adopting. With that said, some agencies only allow single-parent adoptions on a case-by-case basis, so you should determine if an agency you are interested in can and will support your adoptive goals. 

If I’m in a relationship, but not married, can we adopt as a couple?

No. Arizona adoption law requires that for both partners to be recognized as adoptive parents, you must be married. You can adopt individually, and later in life when you are married, complete a same-sex stepparent adoption Arizona offers or you may adopt jointly.

Are all adoption agencies considered LGBTQ-friendly adoption agencies in Arizona?

Unfortunately, no. Although adoptions have made great strides and LGBTQ adoptions are legal in Arizona, there are still agencies with outdated policies and requirements. As previously mentioned, American Adoptions is fully supportive of same-sex adoptions. If you are interested in other agencies, we strongly encourage you to confirm they support, allow and appreciate same-sex adoption.

Are there birth mothers who will choose a same-sex couple to adopt their baby?

Yes. Many open-minded birth mothers would love for you to adopt their baby. In most situations, the top priority of a birth mother is making sure their baby has a loving and happy home, not the sexual orientation of the parents. 

Will I/we be treated differently for pursuing a gay adoption in Arizona?

You should not be treated differently than any other adoptive family. Although we cannot speak for other adoption professionals and only know the experience we offer through our agency — we promise that at American Adoptions, we do not discriminate because of anyone's sexual orientation. 

With so much negativity in the world, adoption provides so much love. We want anyone and everyone interested in adoption to be able to experience that gift. We are dedicated to providing fair services to all families, no matter their race, ethnicity, nor sexual orientation.

The experience and service level you receive with our agency for your LGBT adoption in Arizona will be the same as any other couple that has the dream of becoming a parent or adding to their family. As a full-service, national adoption agency, we can provide every service and resource you will need throughout the adoption process, including services such as: 

• Financial risk-sharing for adoptive families: Adoption is a beautiful, life-changing decision, but sometimes there are also some uncertainties. If you are faced with a disruption, we want to make sure you still have the support you need without having to worry about the financial aspect of things.  
• More adoption opportunities: As an adoptive family, when you work with a local agency, you may have a few adoption opportunities. As a national agency, American Adoptions works with hundreds of prospective birth parents, which increases the odds of finding the perfect match. 
• Shorter average adoption wait times: Because of our national scope, your odds of matching and having a faster adoption are increased.
• Video adoption profile services: With our own in-house media team, we take the standard adoption profile booklets and add a video profile that is featured for all birth mothers to review.
• And many others 

These are some of the beneficial services of working with our agency. What truly sets us apart from other adoption agencies in Arizona is our level of experience. Not just because we have helped thousands of women and families with their adoptions, but more so because our staff is made up of men and women who are personally connected to adoption themselves.   

From our Co-Founder, Scott Mars, who is an adoptee, to other members of our staff who are adoptive families, birth parents, and adoptees, we understand exactly what you are dealing with. We can fully relate to your adoption experiences — and we are determined to help you have the best adoption experience.

If you are considering a same-sex adoption in Arizona, we would love to help. Fill out our online form today to get more information on the services we can provide and how we can help you achieve your adoption goals.

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