Domestic Program

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About Domestic Adoption

Children who need adoptive homes in the United States become known to us in several different ways:

Birth mothers may contact our agency directly to explore adoption.
Hospitals, schools or other outside agencies may contact us when they are working with a birth mother.
Adoption agencies out of state and within Massachusetts may refer a birth mother to us.

There are two different kinds of domestic adoption:

Open Adoption: In an open adoption, the birth parent is informed of their child’s growth and development, can receive photographs of the child and may have planned visitation with their birth child. There are different degrees of “openness “ that are agreed upon between birth mother and adoptive parents prior to the adoption.

Closed Adoption: A closed adoption is a more traditional form of adoption. In a closed adoption, the birth mother and adopted child have no contact with one another after the birth. There is lit tle communication between the birth mother and adoptive parents and the child’s relationship with his or her birth mother ends at the time of the adoption. Today, birth mothers and adoptive parents often choose an adoption plan that involves varying degrees of “openness” while maintaining the privacy of the adoptive family.

Who are the Children

Infants of all racial and ethnic backgrounds are adopted through the domestic adoption program. Occasionally, a toddler or older child may become available for adoption, although this is rare. Families interested in older children and sibling groups can research adoption possibilities through Massachuset ts Department of Child and Family Services.

Who can Adopt

Domestic adoption is open to both married and single applicants; divorced persons may apply. Age and health requirements of the applicants are determined by the adoption agency. Birth parents are actively involved in the process of selecting the adoptive parent.

The Process

Perspective adoptive family meets with agency staff for information and consultation. Applicants complete an adoption application and the home study process begins. Once the family’s home study is approved, the pre-adoptive family designs a “parent profile” with the assistance of agency staff. The “parent profile” is presented to the birth parent to provide her with information about the pre-adoptive family so that she can make an informed choice for her child’s placement. After the birth of the child, the child is placed in a licensed foster care home that has been specifically chosen by Good Hope Adoption Services, Inc. This is a transitional placement during the adoption waiting period and while the birth parent is finalizing her adoption decision. The child is placed with the adoptive family and legal finalization upon initiation of termination birth parents rights and supported by licensed social workers affiliated with Good Hope Adoption.

Costs Involved

Good Hope Agency Fee: $10,000.00-$15,000.00
Home Study Fee: $2600
Pre and Post Adoption Services: $1500
Birth Mother Expenses: Counsel, Medical, etc. – as allowed by the Massachusetts Department of Child and Family Services and the Department of Early Education and Care
Legal Costs: as per case
Foster Care Services: established by the Department of Early Education and Care

The total cost for a domestic adoption, all-inclusive ranges from $25,000.to $30,000. Financial aid may be available in the form of grants, low interest loans or employer related adoption benefits. In 2010, a federal tax credit offers a rebate of up to $13,170.00 off the federal tax assessment to qualified families.

Last updated: June 27, 2011

All children pictured on this website have been joined with their families through the
direct support and efforts of Good Hope Adoption & Family Services.

Last Update: May 17, 2012
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