I have fielded many questions from adopting parents regarding the procedures to obtain a passport for their adopted child (U.S.-born only) when they are in the process of adopting or shortly after their adoption has been “finalized” but prior to receiving the child’s amended birth certificate. The good news is that prospective adoptive parents can …Read More about How to Obtain a Passport for the Child…
News
Study of Adopted Children Shows They Thrive
In 2007, the National Survey of Adopted Parents (NSAP) published a nationally representative survey measuring a variety of attributes related to adoption and adopted children in the United States. The study focused on the personality characteristics of adopted children, general adoption experiences, and the well-being of adopted children and their families. Overall, the study found …Read More about Study of Adopted Children Shows They Thrive
A New Look on Adoption: A Birthmother’s View…
It was four years ago that I ended my nine-month journey towards adoption and headed into the land full of women called birthmothers. Before that time, I did not fully understand the journey of adoption or what I was getting into as a “birthmother.” Through my journey, I learned that when the circumstances are right, …Read More about A New Look on Adoption: A Birthmother’s View…
Federal And State Law Require Health Care Insurers…
Adoptive parents can be reassured that under federal and California law, their health insurance plan must treat an adoptive child the same as a “natural” child and must provide coverage at the time the adoptive child is legally placed in their custody prior to finalization of the adoption. Section 609(c) of the Employee Retirement Income …Read More about Federal And State Law Require Health Care Insurers…
How to obtain Social Security Card
In order to obtain a Social Security number for your adopted child, your adoption must be finalized and the court must sign a final order of adoption or adoption decree. If the adoption is finalized in California, the final order is called an Adoption Order. The Social Security office requires you to bring proof of …Read More about How to obtain Social Security Card
What You Should Know About The Federal “Indian…
The federal Indian Child Welfare Act (“ICWA”) is an important law that needs to be considered and evaluated in every domestic adoption. The ICWA was passed by the United States Congress more than 30 years ago and is codified in 25 U.S.C. 1901 et seq. California codified ICWA in its Family Code and Welfare and …Read More about What You Should Know About The Federal “Indian…
The 2024 Federal Adoption Tax Credit
There is great news for prospective adoptive parents! For 2024, the federal adoption tax credit is $16,810. The amazing thing about this tax credit is that it is not a deduction that reduces your income for purposes of determining your tax liability. Rather, it is a tax refund that is based on a dollar for …Read More about The 2024 Federal Adoption Tax Credit
I am a birth mother and I recently…
Hello. My name is Josephine. I am a birth mother and I recently placed my baby for adoption. When I found out I was four months pregnant, I was devastated. This news was not good news in my situation. I became instantly confused, angry and scared. I kept repeating to myself, “Why me? How could …Read More about I am a birth mother and I recently…
Not so long ago, I sat in your…
Not so long ago, I sat in your exact situation, I was scared and confused and not quite sure of what my future held. I am going to tell my story, so maybe I can help you in your process. Know that you aren’t alone in this journey! My experience at AdoptHelp and with adoption …Read More about Not so long ago, I sat in your…
It is four weeks ago today that my…
It is four weeks ago today that my son was born and it is with a great deal of peace and relief that I write this letter to you. How lucky are we to be in America, in the 21st century, where an option like this even exists? Well, I can tell you that eight …Read More about It is four weeks ago today that my…
I am 20 years old and I placed…
Hello let me start off by introducing myself; my name is Karen, I am 20 years old and I placed my new born for adoption. For me going through with this adoption was probably the hardest thing I had to do in my life. The reason for this was because I have always dreamed about …Read More about I am 20 years old and I placed…
To all you birth mothers who are having…
To all you birth mothers who are having second thoughts, take it from me sometimes it is the best thing to do. Don’t think of it as giving your child away, see it as giving your child a new life and a chance to be somebody in life. I am a 30 year old mother …Read More about To all you birth mothers who are having…