Yet another consideration is that some agencies have a set of values or beliefs to which clients must profess adherence. Many Christian agencies require the signing of “faith statements,” and/or a submission of a written personal testimony. These have the potential to cause problems for LDS couples when they’re asked to affirm their acceptance of concepts such as sola scriptura and the Trinity. Similarly, many LDS couples looking for financial assistance through adoption loan and grant organizations find they aren’t considered for such assistance because of their beliefs.

Once a couple decides on an agency, they provide the same type of information and create a profile and birthparent letter similar to those used by LDSFS. Their profiles are reviewed by expectant parents, and the agency notifies them if there is a potential match. From that point, there is often communication between the two parties, by phone, email and/or in person. Typically, once the placing parent(s) chooses a couple and the couple agrees, the agency requires payment of the applicable fees. The remainder of the fees are due sometime at or around the placement of the child, depending on the stipulations of the agency contract.


Two more adoption types, which I’ll discuss together, are independent adoption, or agency-assisted adoption. An independent adoption, which is not legal in every state, is usually done through an attorney. The attorney may be involved with the actual matching of child and couple, or may assist with the adoption process when the couple has identified their own birthmother/birthparents. Couples may also seek assistance from adoption agencies when they have found a particular child they hope to adopt. In either case, the attorney or agency helps create and record the terms of the agreement between both sets of parents and see to it that the appropriate legal steps are taken for proper placement of the child.

Identified adoption through an attorney or with agency assistance is often done in cases where an acquaintance or relative desires to place a child with a particular couple. In theory, parties on the placing and receiving end are in agreement about what is to take place, but merely need the legal aspects of the arrangement taken care of. Some prospective adoptive parents, undertake their own search campaign through advertisement (Internet, newspaper ads, and even billboards!) to locate birthparents wanting to make an adoption plan. There is potential for parents to save money with this approach and to shave time off their wait (though the reverse can also be true!), but there are also inherent risks that adoptive parents should be aware of. We’ve all seen news stories of tearful, hopeful parents who’ve been bilked out of their savings and left with an empty nursery while a con artist gets away with their money and their dreams, and in most of these cases, the “birthparent” was located on the Internet. Certainly these stories are sensationalized and over-emphasized by the media, but they do shine a light on some of the potential pitfalls of this type of adoption. Couples utilizing this adoption method can better protect themselves by using reputable, experienced attorneys and agencies.