The Adoption Process Step-by-Step in Georgia

You deserve a family — and the adoption process in Georgia can help you get there. With the right support, the step-by-step adoption process becomes clearer, faster, and more secure. That’s what we provide at American Adoptions.

By following our proven adoption steps, you can avoid long delays, protect your budget, and get matched with the right opportunity to welcome your child home.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about how to adopt in Georgia, from the requirements and types of adoption to costs, wait times, and agency support.

The Adoption Process Step-by-Step in Georgia [6 Steps]

While the process of adoption may look slightly different depending on your path, most hopeful adoptive families in Georgia follow these six steps:

When you're ready to grow your family, reach out to American Adoptions. We'll schedule a free consultation with a licensed adoption specialist to talk through your goals and explain how to adopt a baby in Georgia.

We’re a full-service, national adoption agency licensed in Georgia. That means we handle everything — home study referrals, counseling, birth parent matching, legal guidance, and post-placement support — all under one roof.

Honest wait times matter. Our average wait is SHORTCODE HERE thanks to our nationwide marketing reach and 24/7 expectant parent support. You deserve to adopt without spending years in uncertainty. Learn more about our short adoption wait times.

When you’re selected by a prospective birth parent, we’ll provide you with a detailed opportunity profile and prepare you for what comes next. You’ll only receive opportunities that match your preferences.

We encourage pre-placement contact when possible. Through calls, texts, or in-person meetings, you can begin building a relationship based on openness and trust.

Once the baby is born and consents are signed in accordance with Georgia adoption laws, you can take your baby home and begin your life together as a family.

The Adoption Process in Georgia: Costs

The cost of the adoption process in Georgia can vary depending on the type of adoption and the professionals involved.

When you choose to work with a full-service, licensed agency like American Adoptions, your investment covers every part of the process — giving you peace of mind and comprehensive support.

Here’s what the average adoption cost includes:

From your first consultation to final placement, our specialists manage your adoption from start to finish.

Referrals to licensed providers for the required home study evaluation.

Financial assistance for the birth parent’s living expenses, medical care, and counseling.

We promote your family nationwide to help you connect with the right opportunity faster.

Coordination of all necessary legal steps to ensure a secure adoption.

Continued services for both adoptive families and birth parents after placement.

Adoption is a significant financial commitment — and like any major investment, it comes with potential risks. One of the most difficult scenarios families can face is an adoption disruption, where a birth parent changes their mind before placement.

At American Adoptions, we believe your dreams of parenthood shouldn’t be at risk. That’s why we offer adoption disruption insurance, a protection plan that refunds your investment if a disruption occurs.

Most agencies don’t offer any refund or coverage for disruptions, leaving families to absorb the emotional and financial loss alone. We don’t think that’s acceptable.

Our adoption disruption insurance is designed to give you peace of mind as you move through the process. With us, you can move forward confidently, knowing that your budget — and your future — are protected.

How Long Does the Process of Adopting a Baby in Georgia Take?

Most families working with us complete the steps to adoption in average of 12 months. Here’s why:

Marketing Directly Impacts Waiting Time

Adoption is about connection — and the more expectant parents who see your profile, the sooner you’ll be matched. That’s why we invest heavily in nationwide marketing. Our outreach is 12x broader than many local professionals, giving you more exposure and more adoption opportunities.

Simply put: more marketing = less waiting.

Unlicensed Professionals Can Lie about Their Wait Times and Costs

Not every adoption professional is licensed. And without oversight, many make promises they can’t keep — especially around costs and timelines.

Families who choose unlicensed or less reputable professionals often face delays, hidden fees, or worse — they never adopt at all. You deserve better. As a fully licensed agency, we’re held to the highest ethical and legal standards.

National Adoption Agencies Offer Transparent Wait Time Estimates

Because we work with hundreds of families and expectant parents across the country, we can give you honest, data-backed wait time estimates. We don’t inflate numbers or make guesses — we give you real timelines, based on real results.

And if your preferences make your wait longer, we’ll tell you up front. That’s the kind of transparency you deserve.

When you're ready to take the next step, we’re here to help you adopt — faster, safer, and with confidence.

The Adoption Process in Georgia: Requirements

To adopt a baby in Georgia, hopeful adoptive parents must meet the following criteria:

Our team can guide you through each of these steps in the adoption process, including referrals for your home study.

The Adoption Process in Georgia: Types

You can choose from several types of adoption in Georgia, depending on your goals and comfort level:

Work with us to adopt a newborn from an expectant mother in the United States, often with the opportunity for open communication before and after placement.

Provide a permanent home to a child in state custody, often older or part of a sibling group, through the Georgia Division of Family & Children Services.

Adopt a child from another country, navigating both U.S. and international adoption laws, which often includes longer wait times and travel requirements.

Choose the level of post-placement contact with the birth parents that fits your comfort level — from ongoing communication to complete privacy.

Our adoption specialists help you decide which path aligns best with your family-building vision.

The Adoption Process in Georgia: Agencies

Working with the right adoption agency in Georgia is the most important decision you’ll make. Agencies coordinate the legal, emotional, and logistical parts of adoption — and your experience will vary greatly depending on their licensing, resources, and responsiveness.

At American Adoptions, we provide:

Nationwide reach with local support
24/7 birth parent support and screening
Transparent costs and wait times
Licensed services in Georgia

Compared to smaller or unlicensed professionals, we help you avoid unnecessary delays, emotional risk, and financial loss. Here’s how we compare to local agencies.

Georgia Locations:

Atlanta
- 1000 Parkwood Circle E, Suite 900
- 191 Peachtree St NE, Suite 14023
Decatur
- One W Ct Square, Suite 750
Fayetteville
- 320 W Lanier Ave, Suite 200

Contact Us

The steps of the adoption process may feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do this alone. We're here to guide you — every step of the way — with honesty, experience, and compassion.

Fill out our online contact form to speak with a Georgia adoption specialist today.

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Information available through these links is the sole property of the companies and organizations listed therein. American Adoptions provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.

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