3 Types of Adoption Paperwork You'll See

When it comes to filling out adoption paperwork as a prospective birth mother, there are three categories of adoption papers you will complete in Arizona:

• Medical and social history forms

• Adoption planning documents

• Legal forms

Adoption paperwork might seem overwhelming at first, but it keeps the adoption process on track and ensures a legitimate and ethical adoption. 

Not every adoption situation is the same, so the paperwork you’ll fill out will depend on your unique set of circumstances.  This might sound like a lot to keep track of, but that’s where we come in.  Your adoption specialist will keep track of all these documents for you and will make sure that you are providing and filling out the correct adoption papers at the appropriate times. The adoption paperwork is not as overwhelming as it may seem.  Your adoption specialist will answer your questions and will make sure all your bases are covered throughout your adoption process.

Keep reading below to learn more about the appropriate documentation you will fill out during your adoption process, or get in touch with an adoption specialist today.

1. Social and Medical Forms

You will need to provide social and medical forms so that your genetic and social traits can be documented. This allows your adoption specialist to find the perfect family for your baby. By providing your medical history, the prospective adoptive family will also be properly prepared to meet your child’s social and medical needs.

This adoption form will also be used by the hospital so they can make the appropriate arrangements for your pre-and postnatal care when your baby is born. These documents enable the hospital staff to provide you and your baby with the quality care you deserve.

Your Information is Confidential

The medical forms can be daunting to some expectant mothers because they may be worried aspects of their medical or social history will prevent them from placing their baby for adoption. This could range from prior drug use to medical conditions, to alcoholism, etc. When you work with American Adoptions, you will never face judgment at any point in the adoption process. You are choosing adoption for your baby because you want to give them the best life possible, and that makes you a hero.

“[My adoption specialist] Sarah was compassionate, understanding and caring. She was patient when we had to stop in mid-sentence to shed a few tears,” said Jennifer, a birth mother who worked with American Adoptions. “Sarah cared about me. Her main concern was making sure I had support from my family and friends. She wanted to make sure I had someone and that I wasn't alone.”

Providing your medical history, helps us find adoptive families for you to choose from, and helps the family you choose in properly caring for your baby after the adoption is completed. Being honest and transparent during your adoption process is vital to building a trusting relationship with the adoption specialist and the hopeful adoptive parents. A successful adoption cannot happen without trust.

All the information you disclose to us on these social and medical history forms will always be kept confidential and will never be used outside of the adoption process without your permission.

2. Adoption Planning

One of the most important documents you will fill out during your adoption process is your adoption plan. Your adoption plan is the blueprint for your adoption. Your adoption specialist will make sure that you fill out all of the appropriate adoption forms and will keep your adoption on track. You will always be the one calling the shots when it comes to your adoption plan.

Your adoption plan will include:

• Your personal information

• Information about your pregnancy, such as the due date and the baby’s gender, if you are aware of what it is

• Your support system

• Birth father information and whether or not he is involved in the adoption

• Post-placement contact preferences

• Qualities you would like to see in the adoptive family

• And more

This might seem like a lot of planning, but our adoption specialists will always be there to talk you through any decisions you’re struggling with and to make sure all your bases are covered.

“I was lucky enough to find American Adoptions, who immediately took some of that weight away by walking me through the steps and supporting whatever decision I made,” birth mother Brittnee said about the adoption planning process. “They sent me several wonderful profiles of hopeful parents, and I just knew right off when I found the right one.”

Our adoption specialists are available 24/7 to answer your questions and will be happy to answer any questions you may have while making your adoption plan.

3. Legal Adoption Contract

The adoption consent forms will be some of the last adoption paperwork in Arizona you’ll fill out during your adoption journey. These are the “giving child up” for adoption legal papers. These forms legally document your consent and terminate your parental rights so that the adoption can be completed. Our adoption specialists can walk you through these forms and help connect you with a reputable adoption lawyer who will ensure your rights are protected. These professionals will make sure you understand the forms you’re filling out so that you’re not blindly agreeing to anything.

After your baby is born and you feel ready to commit to adoption, you will be asked to sign the legal adoption forms.  You must wait at least 72 hours after the baby is born before you can terminate your parental rights in Arizona. Once your consent is given, it cannot be undone, as Arizona does not have a revocation period.

This is the part of your adoption process where your adoption attorney will be very involved. Your adoption specialist will make sure you have proper legal counsel and understand what you’re looking at when reviewing these forms.

It’s important to bear in mind; you never have to sign the adoption forms if you change your mind about adoption or if you’re not sure. This is a choice only you can make. You know what’s best for you and your baby. Whatever you choose, your adoption specialist will have your back every step of the way.

Your Circumstances Matter

This is just a broad overview of the main categories of adoption forms in Arizona expectant mothers considering adoption will fill out. But every situation is different, so the paperwork could vary depending on your circumstances. For example, if you’re considering adoption after your child has been born, the medical history will include the life of the child. If you already have an adoptive family in mind, you might not need to fill out that portion of your adoption plan.

The specific adoption paperwork you complete will depend on whether your baby has already been born or how far into your adoption decision you are. The legal forms, however, will always be required to complete an adoption.

Getting Started

Adoption paperwork shouldn’t discourage you from making a choice that will benefit you and your baby in the long run. These adoption papers ensure that your adoption is a safe and successful one.  You will never have to go through it alone. Our adoption specialists will always be there to guide you through the process. To get more information about adoption papers, contact us today.

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