There are many ways to build a family. Adoption is one of those choices. Whether you have struggled with fertility issues, have already had biological children and would like to add more children through adoption, or have decided that adoption is your choice rather than biological children, you can build your family through adoption.

According to Florida adoption law:

A stepparent may adopt without his spouse joining in the adoption as long as the spouse consents to the adoption. A married person may adopt without the other spouse if the spouse's failure to consent is excused by the court.

In the case of a special needs child, Florida residency is not required. Florida law prohibits homosexuals from adopting a child. No person can be prohibited from adopting solely because he or she is handicapped, unless the Department of Children and Families determines that the handicap makes him or her incapable of being an effective parent.

Florida law does not indicate an age limit to adopting, it indicates an “adult” is allowed to adopt.

There are several types of adoption that are open to you, domestic infant adoption, domestic older child or special needs adoption and international adoption.

Every family who decides to pursue an adoption must go through the home study process. This is the screening process to determine the suitability of your family for adoption, and to make sure that everything is clear legally.

In addition to background and financial checks, you will meet with an adoption study worker who will evaluate your family. The worker will ask many very personal questions such as, why you want to adopt a child, what your childhood was like, your marriage or divorce (if applicable), your lifestyle and how it would accommodate a child and your parenting philosophy.

These questions are asked no matter what type of adoption you choose to pursue. This is to ensure that you are matched with the child that has the best chance of success in your family, that you are able to finically provide for the child, and that all members of your household are open to accepting a new child into the family.

Florida domestic infant adoption

Contact a licensed and reliable adoption agency, or adoption attorney. You may contact Florida’s Department of Children and Families for a list of licensed agencies.

Florida domestic older child, or special needs adoption

These children are adopted through Florida’s Department of Children and Families. They are children who are already in the foster care system for various reasons. Some children have physical or emotional difficulties, some children may have entered the foster care system as an older child, or the child may be of a minority racially, and in some cases there are siblings who need to be placed together, or it could be any combination of these.

Before a child can be placed in a home every prospective adoptive parent must complete the Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (MAPP) training. This is a class to help you understand the types of issues you might encounter with an older or special needs child, and gives you some tools to help cope with these situations.

International Adoption in Florida

If you are interested in pursing an international adoption, you must first decide which country you are interested in adopting from. This will determine your choice of adoption agencies. It is important that you choose an agency that is experienced in adoption from that country.

Placing a child for adoption in Florida

If you are a birthmother who is interested in placing your child for adoption, in Florida there are three ways to place a child for adoption.

A licensed private adoption agency,

An attorney,

The Department of Children and Families (The Department usually only places children that have been abandoned, abused or neglected).

Reunion/Reunification

If you are interested in reuniting with a child that you placed for adoption, or you are a child who wants to reunify with your birthparents, you can contact Florida’s Adoption Reunion Registry (FARR).

How it works: If two (or more) people involved in an adoption in Florida lists themselves on the registry, then FARR gets them in touch with both parties. It will only pair people who are listed. It will not conduct the search for you.

Back to the main Florida Adoption page.