Adoption in St. Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg Adoption Agencies, Lawyers and More
Contact us: (800) 236-7846
Starting the adoption process can be equal parts exciting and intimidating.
Neither placing a child for adoption nor adopting a child is easy. Fortunately, when you live in St. Petersburg, Fla., there are many local professionals ready to guide you through every step along the way. You’ll just need to decide which one is best for you.
We’ve made finding St. Petersburg adoption agencies, attorneys and more easy with this extensive guide. Below, learn more about the roles these professionals play, the services they offer and the local options available to you.
With the right information, you can start your adoption in St. Petersburg, Fla., on the right foot. And, whenever you’re ready, American Adoptions of Florida will be there to help.
Adoption Agencies in St. Petersburg
The best thing you can do for your St. Petersburg adoption is work with an adoption agency. Agencies are here to guide hopeful adoptive parents and prospective birth parents through every step. These professionals take the hard work off your plate and make your journey much less stressful.
You’ve got a few choices when it comes to St. Petersburg adoption agencies. The first is between local and national agencies. Local agencies typically only work within the St. Petersburg area or the state of Florida, while national agencies work across the U.S.
If you want the best of both worlds, American Adoptions of Florida should be your choice. We can provide the personalized feel of a local agency, as well as the extensive network and services of a larger, national agency. In fact, our Florida offices are located only a short drive away, at:
3001 North Rocky Point Drive East, Suite 200
Tampa, FL 33607
813-868-1000
We know that adoption in St. Petersburg can be confusing, but we’re here to help. Whether you’re considering adopting or “giving a baby up” for adoption in St. Petersburg, Fla., give our team a call at 1-800-ADOPTION to learn more. You can also request free information online anytime.
St. Petersburg Adoption Home Study Providers
Every adoptive parent needs to meet some requirements before being approved for adoption. One of the most important is completing the adoption home study.
A home study is essentially an overview of your lifestyle, family and home. A licensed social worker will visit your house to ensure your family is emotionally and practically ready to bring an adopted child home. It can be scary, but don’t worry — your social worker will offer suggestions and tips to help you succeed.
American Adoptions of Florida is a licensed home-study provider. Whether or not you’re working with our agency for placement, we can help you complete your home study efficiently and with as little stress as possible. Contact us today online or at 1-800-ADOPTION to learn more or get started.
Foster Care Adoption Agencies in St. Petersburg
Not every parent wants to adopt an infant. If you are interested in adopting an older child, a child with special needs or even a sibling group, foster care adoption in St. Petersburg is the path for you.
While most children in foster care are awaiting reunification with their biological parents, thousands of children wait every year for a permanent family with adoptive parents. If you’re ready for the unique challenges and rewards of foster care, you could be the one to give them that second chance.
American Adoptions of Florida does not complete foster care adoptions, but there are several organizations in Florida who can help you:
International Adoption Agencies in St. Petersburg
On the other hand, maybe you want to adopt a child from a completely different country. International adoption options have dwindled over the past few decades, but there are still paths for hopeful adoptive parents.
International adoption in St. Petersburg can be complicated. You’ll need to work with a Hague-approved agency to meet all international and state laws and to complete a safe, ethical adoption. Fortunately, there are a few professionals who can assist you:
Adoption Lawyers in St. Petersburg
There’s one professional that’s required across all types of adoption: an adoption attorney.
Adoption lawyers in St. Petersburg play several important roles, including navigating state laws and protocols, monitoring living expense payments and informing prospective birth parents of their adoption rights. You cannot complete a St. Petersburg adoption without legal guidance, and we encourage all expectant parents and adoptive parents to find an attorney as early in their journeys as possible.
Fortunately, when you work with American Adoptions of Florida, you’ll receive a referral to a local St. Petersburg adoption attorney. But, if you want to do some research on your own, contact these legal professionals:
- Bryan McLachlan
- Emerson & Valentine
- Growney, McKeown & Barber, P.A.
- The Law Offices of Aimee Trinoskey
- Tammi J. Driver
- Whittel & Melton, LLC
St. Petersburg Hospitals for Prenatal and Maternity Care and Delivery
If you’re thinking about placing a child for adoption in St. Petersburg, you have a lot of decisions to make. We have good news: You will be in charge of them all. You will never be pressured into a decision you’re not ready for, and our specialists will respect your right to change your mind at any point along the way.
As you get closer to your due date, you’ll start making a hospital plan. This plan details everything about your childbirth experience — which medications you want, what kind of contact you’ll share with the adoptive family, how long you’ll spend with your child and more. Your hospital plan can change over time, and your medical expenses will always be covered.
You might choose to have your baby at one of these local hospitals:
- Bayfront Health St. Petersburg
- St. Anthony’s Hospital
- St. Petersburg General Hospital
- Tampa General Hospital
St. Petersburg Courts for Adoption Finalization
If you’re an adoptive parent, you’ll need to finalize your adoption before your child is officially a part of your family. Adoption finalization usually involves a straightforward legal hearing. A judge will review your adoption paperwork, ask you a few questions and then issue a final decree of adoption.
Your finalization for your St. Petersburg adoption will likely take place at the Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court.
Tourism Spots for Your Adoption in St. Petersburg, FL
If you’re completing an adoption in St. Petersburg, odds are that you’ll spend a good amount of time there. Adoptive parents and prospective birth parents frequently meet up before the baby’s birth to get to know each other better, and many continue those visits long after birth as part of their open adoption relationship. Adoptive parents may also choose to explore the sights during their ICPC wait after placement.
If you’re looking for something to do in St. Petersburg, you’ve got plenty of options:
Want to learn more about our agency services or start your adoption in St. Petersburg with American Adoptions of Florida today? Give our staff a call anytime at 1-800-ADOPTION or request free information online.
Disclaimer
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.