Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, absolutely! Florida welcomes both single individuals and couples on the adoption journey.

Not at all. Whether you’re already a parent or embarking on parenthood for the first time, you can be eligible to adopt in Florida.

No strict age limits here. As long as you are over 18 you can explore adoption in Florida.

Both renters and homeowners are eligible to adopt in Florida. Your living situation doesn’t hinder your ability to provide a loving home.

No, eligibility is not determined by wealth. Whether you consider yourself a person of modest means or have financial wealth, you can still embark on the adoption journey.

There is no one description of people who can be prospective adoptive parents. If you have the ability to love a child, meet their basic needs, and make a lifelong commitment, you can be an adoptive parent. There are a few factors that could prevent you from becoming an adoptive parent, such as certain felony criminal records.

Adoption costs in the U.S. vary widely and can cost up to $50,000 or more, depending on the type of adoption. The details regarding the specific services covered under this cost will also vary based on the entity completing the adoption.

But when you adopt a child from a community-based care agency, you will not be charged an adoption fee or fees related to pre-adoptive training, home studies, or placement. There may be expenses related to attorney fees and court costs, but these may be reimbursed by the state. Additionally, other one-time-only expenses that may be reimbursed are birth certificate fees and travel expenses for visiting the child.

he adoption process timeline varies from case to case, including the background checks, adoptive parent training, and home study. For more specific information on timelines call 1-800-962-3678.

Yes. One of the benefits of adopting from the state is having access to a comprehensive case history. You will be given information on the child’s medical background, foster placements, and developmental level. You will also be given insight into the child’s personality, habits, hobbies, aspirations, likes, and dislikes.

The children available for adoption in Florida have already undergone a legal procedure wherein the court has terminated the parental rights of their birth parents. This legal foundation provides a secure framework, ensuring that once the adoption is finalized, the child’s placement in your loving home is legally sound and stable.

State adoption occurs through a public agency, such as a state or foster program. This route is considerably less expensive, with the state incurring all the fees associated with adoption, and typically involves a more straightforward process compared to adopting through a private agency. Additionally, the state offers a variety of services, benefits, and support throughout the adoption process and beyond.

Please refer to the Benefits of Adopting Florida’s Children page.

Yes. The local community-based care agency that assisted you in completing the adoption provides support such as information and referral services, support groups, adoption-related libraries, case management, and training. To find out what options are available to you in your area, talk with your adoption specialist, contact your regional office of the Department of Children and Families, or view a listing of Post Adoption Services Counselors in Florida.

If you move or change your address, please put your new address in writing and send it to the community-based care lead agency’s adoption subsidy eligibility specialist. If you move out of the state of Florida, it is very important that you make the adoption subsidy specialist aware so that they can complete the necessary paperwork to transfer your child’s adoption Medicaid. The process to open Adoption Medicaid in another state can take at least 30 days to complete.

Based on IV-E funding, should the family move out of state, Medicaid may not continue with Florida. This should be discussed with the adoption specialist to address other options and avoid loss of benefits.

Please contact the community-based care lead agency to speak with the Post Adoption Specialist. If your check is delayed, please wait 10 days before contacting their office.

You may obtain a certified copy of your Adoption Finalization Order from the attorney that completed your adoption or the courthouse where the adoption finalization occurred. Please visit the Florida Clerk of Court Offices with identification to obtain a copy. The community-based care lead agency is unable to give out certified copies of your Adoption Finalization Order. Requesting them from the attorney that completed the adoption or the courthouse are the only ways to obtain a certified copy of the Adoption Finalization Order.

Your adoption attorney should file the necessary paperwork for you to receive a birth certificate with your child’s new name (if applicable.) Your name will be on the new birth certificate, and you will obtain it several weeks after Adoption Finalization. For any questions, contact the attorney who finalized the adoption.

To obtain a new Social Security card (if this is something your adoption attorney does not do) obtain an application from the Social Security Administration. The new birth certificate and certified Adoption Finalization Order must be submitted with the Social Security card application on the Social Security Website.

Requests for a new card must be made to the community-based care lead agency’s adoption subsidy specialist. New cards can take up to 45 days to receive.