The Matching Process for Domestic Adoption
(Nightlight maintains two Domestic Adoption Programs: one in Southern California, and the other in South Carolina. The information presented here is general and applies to both programs. For the specific details of the two programs, please download the program information packets on the main Domestic Adoption page.)
When does Nightlight begin matching us with a birthparent?
Once all your paperwork has been received, your Social Worker has completed all your visits and approved your homestudy, and we have received your “Dear birthparent” letters and photo albums we can begin showing your profile to birthparents.
What criteria is a birthparent considering when selecting a family for her child?
When selecting an adoptive family who will love and parent her child a birthparent considers: ethnicity, religion, marital status and length of marriage, any previous marriages, age of parents, any other children in home, employment status of parents, financial stability, compatible personalities, and openness to ongoing contact with the birth family before and after the child’s birth.
What parameters may an adoptive couple set before their profile is shown to a birthparent?
During the homestudy your social worker will ask you what factors you are willing to accept in a child’s history. These factors include: ethnicity, exposure to drugs/alcohol/tobacco, disabilities, gender, birthparent expenses, birthfather participation, and requests for ongoing contact with the birthparent throughout the child’s life.
Do you allow adoptive couples to specify the sex of the infant they wish to adopt?
Yes, depending upon your other criteria we may allow you to specify the sex of the child. However please be advised that by doing so you limit the opportunities we have to present your profile, and your wait to be matched with a birthparent will likely increase.
Will you notify us when you are showing our profile?
Generally we do not notify you when we are showing your profile as the wait to be matched is often a roller coaster of emotions and we do not want to cause further distress in the event that you are not chosen. If we have a question as to whether you would like us to show your profile to a birthparent with a unique situation we will notify you so you can determine if you would like to be presented.
What happens when a birthparent chooses to meet us?
Her social worker will contact you to schedule a meeting that will typically be held in our office and allows both parties to have an opportunity to meet and get to know a little bit about each other. We will request that you bring a small gift (i.e. flowers, scented lotion/bath products, etc.) for the birthparent. If a meeting in person is not possible, a conference call may be scheduled instead.The morning after the meeting, the social worker will check in with both parties to see how they felt the meeting went and it will then be determined if it is a match.
If we are engaging your services for an Interstate Adoption with birthparent screening and matching how will this process differ?
We will do our best to help a birthparent get to know you through e-mail or phone calls; however you will need to be prepared to travel to her state of residence if she would like to meet you before the baby is born.
What if we are matched with a birthparent through another source?
Notify our office and your Social Worker immediately. Depending upon the specific situation, you may qualify for a modified adoption in which we can provide your birthparent counseling services. If the situation is one in which our agency will no longer be involved in your adoption, we will place your file on hold until we receive notification that your adoption is finalized. Once the child has been in your home one year, contact our office to discuss your future adoption plans.
If you have any additional questions that were not addressed, please send us a message using our contact form or give us a call. If you live near or in South Carolina, you can call our SC office at (864) 268-0570. Otherwise, call our CA office at (714) 278-1020.
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Nightlight Christian Adoptions is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) adoption agency, licensed by the states of California and South Carolina to provide adoption services, and is Hague Accredited through COA. Nightlight can perform adoption homestudies for residents of South Carolina and Southern California (Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura counties).