There are many reasons that couples decide to pursue adoption in their 40s and later. They may have been putting off having children until their financial security became more established, or they might be hoping to create a family after remarriage.
If this sounds like you, you might be wondering, “How old can you be and still adopt?” Read on to learn about domestic infant adoption options for older parents at Lifetime!
It used to be that the maximum age for adoptive parents followed this 40-year rule: you could be no more than 40 years older than the child you were hoping to adopt.
Today, this rule is not hard and fast. In fact, Lifetime has many birth mothers looking for older, more mature couples. When it comes to finding adoptive parents for her child, the thing that matters most to birth mothers is the ability to provide a loving, nurturing, and safe home.
If you’re an older couple hoping to adopt, you might have noticed that many adoption agencies have age restrictions and “cut-offs” for their clients. In order to adopt through Lifetime, you need to be at least 21 years of age. However, we don’t have a maximum age cut-off that restricts you from adopting after a certain age. What’s important is to show birth mothers that you’re active, in good health, and excited to become parents. It’s not all about the age of the adoptive parent, but what they have to offer to a child as to why they’d be chosen by a birth mother.
At Lifetime, we’ve helped couples in their forties and well into their fifties adopt a baby successfully. We’ve found that many times, older adoptive couples have lots to offer: they’re financially stable, emotionally secure, and have stable marriages and careers. With more and more people holding off on starting a family until their forties, what you look like isn’t important. The love and commitment you give to a child are what’s important!
Discover how Lifetime can make your dreams of adopting a baby come true!
Begin your journey with Lifetime Adoption by filling out our free online application.
Founder of Lifetime Adoption, adoptive mom, adoption expert, and Certified Open Adoption Practitioner (C.O.A.P).
Since 1986, adoption expert Mardie Caldwell has been dedicated to bringing couples and birth parents together in order to fulfill their dreams.
“Many years ago, I was also searching for a child to adopt. We didn’t know where or how to get started. Through research, determination, and a prayer, our dream of a family became reality. I started with a plan, a notebook, assistance from a caring adoption consultant and a lot of hard work; this was my family I was building. We had a few heartaches along the way, but the pain of not having children was worse!
Within weeks we had three different birth mothers choose us. We were overwhelmed and delighted. Many unsettling events would take place before our adoption would be finalized, many months later. Little did I know that God was training and aligning me for the adoption work I now do today. It is my goal to share with our families the methods and plans which succeed and do not succeed. I believe adoption should be affordable and can be a wonderful “pregnancy” for the adoptive couple.
I have also been on both sides of infertility with the loss of seven pregnancies and then conceiving by new technology, giving birth to a healthy daughter. I have experienced first-hand the emotional pain of infertility and believe my experience allows me to serve your needs better.
It is my hope that for you, the prospective parents, your desire for a child will be fulfilled soon.”
Hello. We are an older couple with an unusual situation. I am 57 and my husband is 73. But we have wanted to adopt for a very long time. Noone has been able help us. Could you possibly be able? We are a good Christian family very active in our community and would love to raise a child with plenty of love. Thank you.
Hi Judy,
Thank you for considering Lifetime as an option for growing your family. We do encourage you to apply as your first step. The application can be found at LifetimeAdoption.com/apply. Our reviewing committee will then be able to analyze the possibility of partnering together to help you grow your family.
Hello, loved your website and what a wonderful job you are doing, I have a question, I know this sounds crazy but for the reasons you talk about older people not adopting until later, that’s us but it’s way later. We are 70 and 74. We are finally able to add to our family other than pets and wanted to start inquiring. I know that sounds crazy but we kind of think age is only a number. We wanted to adopt a teenager or a bit older, not a baby or young child, we heard on a radio show the other day that the 14 and up are the hardest to find homes for. We live in California but may move to another state as we are wanting to find a larger home with some land for our family of pets.
Hi Jane,
Thank you for your comment! We think it’s wonderful that you’re open to adopting an older child or teenager, not many families are. While we primarily work with newborn-infant adoptions, at times, we can help birth families make adoption plans for their toddler, but never teenagers.
We know the need is very high within the foster care system, a lot of children within the age you’re open to are hoping to find a forever family still and usually able to be adopted!
You may want to start with your local foster-to-adopt county program, you’ll need to go through a home study process to be approved. Here is a resource where you can click on your region and find your local department: cdss.ca.gov/adoptions/adoption-field-offices.
Thank you again for reaching out to Lifetime Adoption. God bless you as you take these next steps to grow your family.