Domestic Adoption Services

Adoption by Shepherd Care has been providing domestic adoption services in the State of Florida since 1980. Our agency works with courageous birthmothers who are making an adoption plan for their child and loving couples who want to become parents through adoption. 

ASC works with adoptive families throughout the United States and welcomes families of any racial, religious or ethnic background.  Couples must be married for at least one year, and their average age must be between 25 and 50 years with neither spouse’s age exceeding 52 years. 

The first step in the domestic adoption process is to schedule a consultation, during which an ASC staff member will meet with you either in person or by phone to explain in detail the domestic adoption process with our agency. Couples then compile their registration documents which include items such as an approved home study, clearances, and reference letters. They also create a profile of their family with biographical information and pictures, which birthmothers will view to choose a family for their child. The waiting time to adopt is dependent on many factors which are discussed in detail during a consultation. 

Once prospective adoptive parents are chosen by a birthmother, they have the opportunity to meet either during the pregnancy or shortly after the birth of the child. Adoptive families are responsible for sending pictures and letters to the birthmother through ASC at regular intervals until the child is eighteen years old. Openness may vary from one adoption to another depending on the desires of the adoptive family and birthmother, and ASC strives to accommodate the wishes of each birthmother and adoptive family in regard to the level of openness in their adoption.

According to Florida law, a birthmother may sign the legal documents to place her child for adoption 48 hours after the birth of the child or upon the birthmother’s discharge from the hospital—whichever is first. There is no revocation period after signing these documents in the state of Florida. In many cases, the adoptive family may take placement of the child upon discharge from the hospital or soon thereafter. The adoptive family is responsible for completing three post-placement reports through their home study agency during the 90 days after the placement of the child in their home, after which ASC’s attorney will collaborate with the family to complete the necessary documents to finalize the adoption. 

ASC strives to keep the cost of adoption as low as possible without compromising our comprehensive services to adoptive families and birthmothers. We will be glad to provide you with detailed information on our fees, which you can access through our Request Information page.  Please note that ASC’s estimated fees are comprehensive and include all agency fees, legal costs, and expenses to the birthmother.  

Since each family has their own unique situation, we offer private consultations which acquaint you further with the process of adoption through our agency and give you the opportunity to speak one-on-one with one of our agency staff members. Scheduling a consultation is the first step toward working with our agency, and you may obtain the application materials through the Request Information page.