Adoption Process in Ohio

How to Adopt in Ohio- A brief outline of the Adoption Process in Ohio

Adoption is an exciting journey. We will outline briefly the adoption process on this page, but by all means, call or email if you have further questions as this outline is not all inclusive to the process itself.
It is very important when making the decision to adopt you should be emotionally ready to embark on the most wonderful emotional journey of adoption.

Many families seeking to adopt have gone through years of loss, infertility and grief. These losses should not be taken lightly and families do need time to heal before they start on to another emotional journey. Therefore sometimes waiting until you are ready to move forward is ok.

Making a decision on the type of adoption should be one of the first decisions you should make. The programs available within our agency are:

• Newborn (Infant adoption)
• Private Adoption
• Older Child (through the state adoption programs)
• Relative Adoption
• Grandparent Adoption
• Stepparent Adoption

Once you decide which program is right for you, you can the adoption process by completing the application process.

Step by Step – The Adoption Process in Ohio

Step 1 – Choose a state licensed adoption professional who will work with you closely to meet your adoption needs.

We are confident that our state licensed adoption service is among the best in the State of Ohio.  Why? because our clients say so!

Why should you work with Building Blocks Adoption Service?

• We provide one on one adoption services
• Available 24/7 for our families and birth mothers during the most crucial times of the process
• We heavily advertise online, on billboards, local businesses and community events
• The BBAS case managers visit and mail materials too:
  • clinics
  • hospitals
  • pregnancy centers
  • planned parenthood
  • churches
  • crisis centers
  • and physicians’ offices to build a support network system for birth parents in need of guidance during their time of need
• BBAS, An Ohio Adoption Agency works with birth parents to seek county resources and counseling services needed to ensure they receive the appropriate support they need.
• Our families that adopt from the State of Ohio can be assured that the living expenses for the birth parents do not exceed $3,000 as outline in the State of Ohio adoption law.
• Building Blocks Adoption does not provide timelines, but provides facts. The birth parent is the one choosing the family, therefore we are up front and honest and letting every family know that a timeline cannot be given as the birthparent is choosing you. No false pretenses.

Step 2 – Signal your desire to adopt to your Adoption Agency of Choice

Once you are ready to move forward with the adoption process you need to first apply online.  When we get your application we will then begin your adoption journey with you.
When you are ready, apply online at BBAS Adoption Application

Step 3 – Start your adoptive homestudy process

A Homestudy is a detailed review of your household. In order to be considered for adoption, the State of Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) requires a considerable amount of information and documentation from an adopting family.

Reside Outside Ohio?  That is ok! We can go through the adoption process with you and present your profile to birth parents seeking to make an adoption plan here in Ohio, as well as, Nationwide.  For those families who live out of the State of Ohio you will need to contact a state licensed adoption agency in your state to complete your homestudy assessment.  Each state has different guidelines for completing a homestudy assessment.  BBAS is able to work with the majority of state licensed agencies nationwide. Need a referral for a homestudy agency in your state?  Contact us

Homestudy Training
BBAS makes the the training direct and straightforward through online training and in home visits (no mileage fees). We try and make the adoption process as simplified as we can.

During the homestudy process you will provide our agency with documentation required by ODJFS. Documentation such as:

• Financial Forms
• Medical Forms for all individuals in the household
• Criminal background checks for all household members 18 and older
• Copy of tax returns, proof of employment and proof of medical coverage
• Child Abuse Clearance
• Autobiography
• Safety Audit
• Fire Inspection
• Birth, Marriage, Divorce Decree
• Pet Vaccination
• Reference Letters
• Copies of Driver’s license, social security card, passport(if applicable)

Step 4 – Complete your adoptive profile (for Newborn or Older Child only) with the assistance of one of our awesome graphic designers.

Matching you with a child and/or accepting birth mother requires all involved to put their best foot forward. A visually pleasing document and online profile goes a long way towards finding a right adoption match.

Step 5 – Start the matching process!

• You will receive adoption situations to review
• The adoptive family can choose the type of situation you would like to consider for a match
• Clients can choose to submit on adoption situations here in Ohio or through one of our out of state networking agencies. Submitting out of state provides a larger pool of adoption situations to be considered
• A choice of race, gender, age, medical in regards to the type of child to adopt can be made
• You can choose to submit on open or closed adoption situations.
• Adoptive Families can choose to meet potential birth mothers one on one after match
• Some families choose to maintain a personal relationship with their birth mother if they choose
• You can become part of your birth mother’s pregnancy journey!

Step 6 – Match!

It is always exciting when we match birth mothers with adopting parents. Love and thankfulness goes both ways.

Step 7 – Attend the birth of the child

For those adopting a child from birth, attending the actual birth of the child is a blessing and exhilarating experience.

Step 8 – Take placement of the child 72 hours after birth (Ohio birth)

Giving time for the hospital to fully check and screen the child for health concerns, adoptive parents can expect to bring home a newborn child a few days after birth.

Step 9 – Finalize the adoption

In the State of Ohio, adoptions are finalized about 6 months after placement.
So why wait? Make a difference through the act of adoption!
 

Online Forms and Contact Info

• Application for Adoption Services
• Request Information About Adoption Services 
• Contact us!
• Unplanned Pregnancy Help?
• Pregnant? Have Questions? Text Us 
• Call us! 866-321-2367
• Seeking to place your child for adoption

BBAS.org – Building Blocks Adoption Service Inc.