Lifetime Adoption > Open Adoption in Texas > Adoption Agencies in San Antonio

Adoption Agencies in San Antonio

San Antonio Adoption, Home Studies and More

Are you in the San Antonio area and are considering adoption? Lifetime Adoption works with birth parents to make sure they receive all the support and resources they may need. We also work with adoptive families to help them achieve their dreams of growing their family. Our experienced coordinators are available to provide all the information you need and to answer all the questions you have.

As a leader in domestic, open adoption, Lifetime Adoption, with over three decades of experience, is a great resource to guide you on your adoption journey. Our caring adoption coordinators are always ready to help. They connect birth families with adoptive families and provide access to podcasts, webinars, articles, counseling, referrals, along with one-on-one support.

Help for Pregnant Women in San Antonio

Carrie was walking along the River Walk with a few tears running down her face. She had just left the doctor’s office, where she found out she was pregnant. All she could think was, “I can’t have a baby. What am I going to do?” She stopped and was gazing at the river, feeling sad and afraid.

A woman saw her tears and stopped. A complete stranger and asked if she could help. That kindness made Carrie cry harder, and for some reason, she blurted out her story. She had met a guy at a party, and now she was pregnant. She only knew his first name, and she didn’t want this baby. The kind woman asked her to sit and talk.

First, she listened, then she said, ”Have you ever thought about adoption?” She had adopted both her children and told Carrie how she was so grateful to the birth mothers of her kids. She was so thankful they were strong enough to carry their babies and help create an amazing family through adoption.

Carrie started to feel a little hope. The woman picked up her phone and called Lifetime Adoption. She explained the situation and put Carrie on the phone.

Caring Coordinators to Help

The adoption coordinator had a long conversation with Carrie. She explained open adoption and how she could help find a loving home with adoptive parents that were emotionally and financially ready for a baby. She told her she could choose the adoptive family for her baby and decide how much contact she wanted with the family once the adoption process was complete.

The adoption coordinator told her that she was there to help make an adoption plan and provide help and guidance. She could reach out 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All she needed to do was to call or text our adoption coordinators.

Carrie told us that after she hung up, she hugged that woman so tight and told her that she had saved her life and the life of that baby.

As many women do, Carrie also faced the unplanned pregnancy expenses that come with an unplanned pregnancy. Adoption Agencies in San Antonio can help with those expenses. The state of Texas does allow agencies or adoption attorneys to provide assistance for pregnant women who choose adoption during their pregnancy and until six weeks after the birth. This assistance can include help with clothes, food, rent, transportation to the doctor, phone, and more. Your adoption coordinator will ask what your needs are and help you get the resources and the support you need!

Older Child Adoption

There is also an option for adoption for a toddler or older child through adoption centers in San Antonio, Texas. Some parents find themselves struggling to raise a young child and are considering adoption. Lifetime Adoption can help with child adoption in San Antonio. We have profiles of families interested in adopting toddlers, sibling sets, and special needs children.

When considering adoption, calling adoption services in San Antonio, TX, can feel scary. Call or text Lifetime Adoption, and you can be sure you will find a caring adoption coordinator on the other end. She will not judge you. She will talk with you honestly and answer all of your questions. Your adoption coordinator will guide you through the process and support you.

Adoption Help in San Antonio

So what can you expect from adoption services in San Antonio? Lifetime Adoption is able to help you place your child for adoption. An adoption coordinator will be there to support you and to explain all of your options.

Your Lifetime Adoption coordinator will make sure you receive:

Peer and Professional Counseling
24-hour help and support
Parent profiles of hopeful adoptive parents that you can choose from. You can be sure all families have completed a home study, including background checks.
Maternity clothes, toiletries, and a labor bag if you need.
Assistance with pregnancy-related expenses
Additional support and resources you need after you have given birth
And much more!

Adoption Counseling in San Antonio

Counseling is a resource that we encourage all of our birth mothers to take advantage of. Lifetime Adoption coordinator can provide professional and peer counseling. Adoption is not an easy decision and is an emotional journey. A professional counselor can help you understand your emotions and help you think through your decision.

Peer counseling is also recommended. Talking with someone who has been through the adoption process is very helpful. A peer counselor can answer the questions you have and will understand the feelings and emotions you have. She can share advice on telling your family, discussing adoption with the birth father, and many other words of advice.

Maternity Hospitals in San Antonio

What is going to happen at the hospital? This is a question that our adoption coordinators get from almost every birth mother. Many feel anxious and unsure of how that process will go. Your adoption coordinator is going to help you create a hospital plan that is just right for you. Here are some of the questions she will ask before creating your plan:

Who would you like in the room when you give birth?
Who would you like to hold your baby first after the birth?
Would you like the adoptive parents at the hospital?
Who would you like to go home first, you or your baby?

Your adoption coordinator will contact the hospital to make sure they know what your wishes are and that they are followed. She will also make sure the adoptive parents understand what is expected of them at the hospital. Your coordinator wants you to be comfortable and have as little stress as possible at the hospital.

In the San Antonio area, the hospitals with labor and delivery services are:

No matter which hospital you deliver at, we will work with that hospital to make sure they understand your hospital plan. Sometimes, things don’t go exactly as planned. Don’t worry! We have worked with birth mothers who were traveling out of state when they went into labor or some who have even given birth at home. Our experienced coordinators are ready for any situation.

More Helpful Resources for Pregnant Women in San Antonio

Are you struggling with some of life’s issues and then find yourself unexpectantly pregnant? You may not know where to turn. At Lifetime Adoption, you will find coordinators who can provide information and resources that will help you find the stability you need to make the right pregnancy decision for you and your baby. Life can feel overwhelming, so it is important to make decisions about your pregnancy from a place of stability, not one of crisis.

If you are homeless or are experiencing a domestic violence situation, getting safe housing is a priority. Here are some local resources for women’s shelters in San Antonio and the surrounding area:

Seton Home

The Salvation Army Emergency Women & Children Shelter

SAMMinistries

If you are struggling with hunger and are pregnant or the mother of young children, you may be eligible for the WIC program. WIC stands for Women, Infants, and Children and provides an EBT card to purchase healthy food such as whole grains, cheese, milk, eggs, vegetables, and fruit. They also have referrals for local services. Learn more by visiting their website:

WIC – in San Antonio, TX

If you are struggling with addiction, starting a treatment program will be helpful. It is important because if you are pregnant, it can be risky to suddenly stop using drugs. There are a lot of options, even if you are addicted to opiates or prescription drugs. A treatment center that offers counseling along with medications (like methadone and suboxone) that will help you slowly wean off the opiates. Here are a few resources in San Antonio:

Center for Health Maintenance

Stop SA

MedMark Treatment Centers

If you need additional resources, a Lifetime Adoption coordinator can offer confidential help, no matter what issues you may be having. We can help with transportation, maternity clothes, prenatal care, pregnancy verification, rent, and more. Call or text today.

How to Start the Adoption Process in San Antonio

So now, how do you get started with your adoption plan? The first thing you need to do is, call or text Lifetime Adoption or fill out the contact form. An adoption coordinator will help you create an adoption plan. She will make sure you have all of the information and resources you need. She will also answer all your questions and talk with you about any needs you might have. A kind and non-judgmental adoption coordinator will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Online you will find profiles of our adoptive families. You can read their letters, watch video messages, and see what their daily life looks like and what their beliefs are. As a birth mother, you decide what kind of family you are looking for. Then, you get to choose the adoptive parents you would like to get to know better.

Click here to view adoptive family profiles online. You may be interested in Catholic adoption in San Antonio, Methodist adoption in San Antonio, or a family of another faith. You may prefer a family who lives in Texas or another state. Perhaps you prefer a couple of a certain race. We will help you find a family just right for you and your baby. Once the family is chosen, your adoption coordinator will help you all connect. If you choose, you can begin to build a relationship with them or just keep in contact through your coordinator. It is up to you. Your coordinator will guide you and the adoptive parents through this process.

Are you in need of community resources in the San Antonio area? Your Lifetime adoption coordinator will help you connect with those resources. Perhaps you need to connect with a doctor for prenatal care, and you may need help getting there, for example. Your adoption coordinator will help you with those issues.

Give us a call or text today to get started today.

Get In Touch

Other Paths to Adoption in San Antonio

Are you unsure if adoption is the right path for you, but you don’t feel you can parent at this time? Foster care may be an option for you. Maybe you are dealing with substance abuse issues and have given birth to a baby born with exposure to those substances. Child Protective Services may make that decision for you. The Texas Department of Families and Protective Services can place your baby in the foster care program, even if that is not what you wish. When this happens, you will not be able to choose who your baby is placed with or whether you will have any contact. You can still have some control if you call a San Antonio adoption center from the hospital and begin the adoption process. Lifetime Adoption can contact the Lifetime adoptive parents of your choice, and they can come to the hospital. You can sign the adoption paperwork to start the process, and they can take your baby to a safe, loving home.

A third option is relative or kinship adoption. In this case, a family member who is usually blood-related to the child can choose to adopt your baby. There can be some challenges with this type of adoption. Sometimes the relative may not understand adoption means they are responsible for this child until the child reaches adulthood. There can be boundary issues between family members that need to be worked through.

Look at all the pros and cons of each type of adoption and decide what is best for you and for your baby. It is wise to talk with a counselor and with your adoption coordinator to make sure you understand each option completely.

Adopting in San Antonio

Adoption is such an important and life-changing decision. There will be a lot of questions you have and a lot of information you need for this journey. If you are considering adoption in the San Antonio area, the coordinators at Lifetime Adoption are ready to guide you through the process. They want to help you with your adoption dreams. All of your questions will be answered, and the whole Lifetime adoption process will be explained. You will learn all about open domestic adoption.

A priority at Lifetime Adoption is ensuring birth mothers and their babies are matched with adoptive families that are a great fit for everyone in the adoption triad. If you are considering adopting a newborn or child up to the age of six in San Antonio, contact us at 727-493-0933. You can visit the Lifetime Adoption website for a free online adoption application. You will learn more about adoption and find an abundance of adoption information and resources.

Begin the Adoption Process

There is a lot of information about the adoption process, and it can be confusing. Lifetime Adoption is here for you, so you will not have to navigate this process on your own. Just fill out our online application. To apply is free, and you are not obligated in any way.

Next, you will be contacted by a Lifetime adoption coordinator. Your coordinator may request additional information and will be ready with all of your questions. Your adoption coordinator will explain the whole adoption process and give you the steps you need to take to start your adoption journey.

Home Study Services in San Antonio

A home study is required for domestic, international, and foster adoption. Your Lifetime coordinator can refer you to a Home Study Service provider in San Antonio.

It is required by Texas law that the following are completed for an adoption.

A completed adoption application.
Adoptive parents must be at least 21 years old.
References must be provided.
Financial stability must be shown.
You must be responsible and mature.
Background and lifestyle information must be provided.
Proof of marriage and/or divorce presented(if applicable)
A home study must be completed.

What does a home study include? Your home study will consist of information on your finances and employment, background checks, education hours, and a home visit. Your Lifetime adoption coordinator will guide you through the process.

First, you will hire a home study service. They will ask you to submit fingerprints for a criminal background check. Then you will need to gather the following documents.

Verification of marital status whether single, married or divorced.
Financial and Employment Statements such as tax returns, profit and loss statements, and paystubs.
Medical Statement from your medical professional that verifies your physical and mental well-being.
Three written references from friends, coworkers, families, or others you know, attesting that you are suitable to be adoptive parents.

Your home study social worker will interview everyone in the home. Then, she will put all of this information gathered into a report. The visit is to make sure you have a safe and adequate home to bring a baby home to. They will also want to understand your views regarding marriage, parenting, and family.

Finalization of Adoption at Court

Once you are matched with a birth mother, have completed your home study, and your baby has arrived, you have one final step, adoption finalization.

Texas law mandates that a woman must wait 48 hours after birth before being allowed to sign papers consenting to the adoption. Next, the child must be in the custody of the adoptive parents for at least six months. Five post-placement visits by your social worker must be conducted during that time. Then, you will have a hearing at the courthouse to finalize the adoption and get your adoption decree.

County Courts

Your San Antonio adoption attorney will file all necessary paperwork at the district courthouse and will set a hearing date for finalization. In the San Antonio area, you will go to the District Court in your county.
Atascosa County
Bandera County
Bexar County 
Comal County 
Guadalupe County 
Kendall County 
Medina County 
Wilson County 

Now the presiding judge will review your home study and all of the documents. She will then issue the final adoption decree. Now it is the time to take those pictures and celebrate!

Other Paths to Adoption

San Antonio International Adoption Agencies

International adoption is another path you can take to grow your family. Which adoption path is right for you is very personal. Some families choose to adopt a child from another country who is in need.

Every type of adoption has some pros and cons. If you choose international adoption, you will want to consider the political climate, the needs of the children, and many other factors. In addition, every country has its own laws and requirements that can be difficult to navigate.

Working with an agency that specializes in international adoption and has proven success with adoptions working in the country you are interested in is important. You will find the most popular countries to adopt from are in the nations of China, Africa, and Eastern Europe. Here are some agencies that specialize in international adoption:
Adopt International

Holt International

Foster Care Adoption

Foster care is another adoption avenue. In San Antonio, you will contact the Texas Adoption Resource Exchange. You will let them know you are interested in foster care adoption, and they will provide you with all the information you need to move forward. You can also contact AdoptUSKids, where you can view children hoping to be adopted in the San Antonio foster care system and in other states.

Foster Care Qualifications

You must be at least 21 years of age, financially stable, a mature adult, and responsible.
Complete a foster care application.
Share information about your background and lifestyle.
Collect references from relatives and non-relatives.
You will need to show proof of marriage if you are married and/or proof of divorce if you are/were divorced and proof of spouse’s death if widowed.
You must complete a home study which includes an inspection of all parts of the home, background checks, and visits with household members.
A criminal history background check and an abuse/neglect check on all adults in the household. (Adults are people age 14 and older who live in or visit your household regularly.)
Attend free training to learn about issues of neglected and abused children.

Training is an opportunity for the family and the family’s agency to decide whether foster care or adoption is the right choice for the family.

San Antonio Adoption Attorneys

San Antonio adoption attorneys can be valuable when navigating adoption. Their primary concern is protecting the rights and interests of all parties involved, including prospective adoptive parents, birth parents, and the child at the heart of the process.

San Antonio adoption attorneys oversee the legal areas of the adoption journey. They draft legal documents such as adoption agreements, consent forms, and court petitions. This can be important in cases of interstate adoption, where navigating the laws of multiple states becomes essential.

In addition, San Antonio adoption attorneys provide invaluable guidance to prospective adoptive parents, educating them about their rights, responsibilities, and the legal ramifications of adoption. They also give support to birth parents by helping them understand their options, rights, and the legal procedures involved in placing a child for adoption.

Representing Their Clients

When contested adoptions or legal disputes arise, these attorneys serve as advocates for their clients. They represent their clients’ interests in court proceedings, mediation sessions, and negotiations, to secure the best possible outcome for all parties concerned.

They also play an important role in ensuring the ethical conduct of adoptions by following laws and regulations. Working closely with adoption agencies like Lifetime Adoption, social workers, and other professionals, they uphold the highest standards of ethical practice throughout the adoption process.

Please reach out to a Lifetime Adoption coordinator for attorney referrals at 1-800-923-6784 or use the “Text Us” feature located at the bottom of this page.

Mardie Caldwell

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