Child Adoption in Oregon

If you want to become a parent or are caring for someone else’s child, you might be thinking about adopting a child in Oregon. 

This article explains what adoption is, who can adopt, how much it costs, and alternatives to adoption in Oregon. 

What is adoption? 

Adoption makes someone a child’s legal parent. It ends the birth parent’s rights or responsibilities for the child. 

There are three different kinds of adoptions in Oregon: 

1. Foster care adoptions: These are done through Oregon’s foster care system. The system first tries to keep children with their families. If that’s not possible, the state may place the child with an adoptive family.
2. Agency adoptions: These are done through private, licensed adoption agencies, which often specialize in adopting infants and toddlers. Private adoptions allow more involvement from birth parents and communication between birth and adoptive parents.
3. Independent adoptions: These are done through attorneys only. This is when you know the child you want to adopt, and the birth parents agree to the adoption. This can happen when adopting a relative or family friend. 

How much does adoption cost?  

The total cost of adoption varies based on your situation. Costs range from $0 to $60,000 (or more). Foster care adoptions are the least expensive option, while agency or independent adoptions are more expensive.

Below are some of the basic costs you can expect when adopting a child.  

• Attorney’s fees: An attorney works separate from the foster care system or private agency. They help guide you through your situation and handle legal paperwork. Their fees depend on the type of attorney and adoption you choose.
• Home study cost: Before you can adopt, most families must pass a home study. A licensed agency does this by checking your home’s safety and meeting everyone who lives with you.
• Court fees: Adoption is a legal process that requires you to file a “Petition to Adopt” with the state, which comes with a filing fee. 

You may have to pay additional fees depending on the type of adoption:

• Foster care adoptions: You usually don't have to pay fees for foster care adoptions. The foster care system offers assistance programs for adoption related finances.
• Agency adoptions: The agency you choose will have its own fees. You should prepare to provide financial assistance for the birth mother’s adoption-related expenses.
• Independent adoptions: Depending on the circumstance, you may have to provide financial assistance for the birth mother’s adoption-related expenses and the birth parents’ separate attorney. 

Who can adopt a child? 

These are the requirements to adopt a child in Oregon: 

• At least 21 years old.
• You or birth mother must be a resident of Oregon for at least 6 months.
• Financially able to support the child.
• Physically and mentally able to take care of the child.
• Pass a home study.
• Pass a criminal and child abuse background check. 

Private adoption agencies may have different rules. Some agencies have religious ties that can affect which families they bring into their adoption pool.  

Birth parents may also have preferences about the family their child is placed with. 

Adoptions of Native American children 

Adopting a child who is a member of a Native American tribe or eligible to enroll has more steps than the adoptions described above. 

In the past, many Native American children were taken from their families and placed with adoptive families who had no tribal background. Now, to prevent unnecessary displacement of Native American children, states follow the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). Learn more about the history of ICWA here. 

ICWA protects Native American families by adding steps to help keep Native American children with their families or tribes. It ensures that Tribal governments are involved in the process. Learn more about ICWA in Oregon here.  

Alternatives to adoption 

Adoption is not always the right solution. It can be complicated, costly, and it permanently ends a child’s relationship with their birth parents.

If you live in Oregon, you have other options. The right solution depends on your needs, goals, and budget. 

• You can get temporary legal rights by using a Relative Caregiver Affidavit or Delegation of Parental Powers form.
• You can get long-term legal rights through a guardianship or a third-party custody case. 

Visit this page to learn more about alternatives to adoption in Oregon. 

Next steps 

If you’ve already weighed the alternatives to adoption and you’re certain adoption is the right choice, here’s how to get started: 

• Foster care adoptions: To adopt a child from Oregon’s foster care system, visit the Adoption Process page on the Oregon Department of Human Services website to learn more.
• Agency adoptions: If you want to adopt a child through an agency, visit this page to learn more about private agency adoptions.
• Independent adoptions: If you know the child you want to adopt and the child’s parents agree to adoption, contact an adoption attorney licensed in Oregon to start the process. Find experienced adoption attorneys here. Or, you can call Oregon’s Lawyer Referral Service to get referrals to adoption attorneys. 

More Frequently Asked Questions