AdoptChange

06/10/2026

In most private adoptions, the birth mother must give her written permission before her child may be legally adopted. This is usually referred to as an adoption consent. In some states, it may be referred to as a relinquishment, surrender, or placement agreement.
•
After the consent is signed, many states allow a revocation period. This is a limited timeframe during which a placing parent can withdraw consent and stop the adoption process. The laws about revocation periods vary from state to state.
•
To help you understand how different states handle these issues, we divided the state laws into four categories: 1) No Waiting Period and no Revocation Period, 2) No Waiting Period, with a Revocation Period, 3) Waiting Period, No Revocation Period, and 4) Waiting Period, with a Revocation Period.
•
To find out what your state says, check out our state law maps at https://www.adoptchange.org/adoption-consent-and-revocation-laws

02/12/2026

We often hear from adoptive parents who are unsure about where to begin in the process, and they end up relying on the advice of well-intentioned people on social media. Our best advice? Pause and gather more information before signing contracts with adoption professionals.
•
In 2024, we conducted an informal survey with over 200 adoptive parent respondents who had hired an adoption consultant. We wanted to understand what type of cases they were seeing, average case costs, their perceived benefits and disadvantages of hiring consultants, and so much more. The knowledge we gained was a big part of what went into our formulation of education for adoptive parents.
•
We know that you don’t just need to know what questions to ask, you need to know what answers you’re looking for. We wrote two blogs to help you: the first, to develop your comprehensive understanding of this group called “adoption consultants” and the second, to give you the right questions to ask and the answers you should be looking for.
•
Here’s to making more intentional and informed decisions in the adoption world!

Learn what to ask before hiring an adoption consultant. Discover key questions that reveal transparency, legality, and ethical standards in private domestic adoption.

02/05/2026

Thank you to Reps. Harshbarger, Shreve, Schweikert, and Smith for cosponsoring the bipartisan ADOPT Act to prohibit unlicensed intermediaries in adoption! ✨

02/04/2026

Many hopeful adoptive parents turn to adoption consultants because the adoption process can feel opaque, fragmented, and overwhelming. We get asked about adoption consultants all the time, so we figured it was time to write a comprehensive guide on consultants.
•
Consultants promise guidance, education, and access in a landscape that is emotionally charged and difficult to navigate. For some families, that promise is fulfilled. For others, it comes with unexpected costs, legal risks, and ethical concerns. Increasingly, these risks extend beyond individual families and reflect broader structural shifts in how adoptions are arranged. Understanding what adoption consultants do, how they differ from other unlicensed actors, and where the risks lie is essential when choosing to work with an adoption consultant. Check out our latest blog on this topic:

What is an adoption consultant? Learn about their services, costs, and how they differ from licensed providers. Discover the benefits and risks before signing a contract.

01/06/2026

California has the opportunity to take a major step in the right direction for adoptees. SB 381 would allow California-born adult adoptees to request and receive a copy of their own original birth certificate, just like any other adult can. This is about basic dignity, identity, and equal treatment under the law for people who were adopted. Everyone in the adoption community can make a positive impact on this effort, no matter where they live.
•
Why this matters to everyone:
- For adoptees, access to an original birth certificate is about truth, identity, and the possibility of gaining medical and family history that most non-adopted people take for granted.
- For birth parents, it honors the reality of their pregnancy and relinquishment experience instead of erasing it from the official record.
- For adoptive parents and professionals, it aligns practice with what we say we believe: that adoption should be honest, ethical, and child-centered—not dependent on secrecy.
•
Get involved by following and visiting their website to learn more about the opportunities for action! Letters of support for the CA Senate Health Committee are due tomorrow, and letters for the Senate Judiciary Committee are due Friday!
​

Stay informed on California adoption laws. Join us to support adoptee rights and legislative reform. Act now!

11/22/2025

Today is National Adoption Day. In honor of this, the FBI has issued special guidance about adoption fraud. This comes a year after the Federal Trade Commission sounded the alarm on violations of the FTC Act through warning letters, and two days after the ADOPT Act was introduced to Congress.
•
The FBI has provided helpful examples of what to look out for when working with adoption providers. Do any of these examples resonate with you and your adoption experience?
•
Visit the link to read the complete FBI guidance on adoption fraud. You can report adoption fraud to the FBI at ic3.gov. We will continue to provide additional education and information on AdoptChange.org, so you know what red flags to look for and what to do about them.

https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety/common-frauds-and-scams/adoption-fraud

Unethical adoption service providers can take advantage of an emotionally charged process to deceive and defraud prospective adoptive parents or birth parents considering adoption. Learn what to look out for, how to protect yourself and your family, and what to do if you're a victim.

11/04/2024

Don’t fall for illegal and deceptive ads from unlicensed adoption brokers! These misleading practices can have serious consequences for vulnerable families seeking support. It’s crucial to stay informed and vigilant. Always work with licensed and ethical professionals who prioritize your needs and the well-being of children. Protect yourself and your family by ensuring you have accurate information and trustworthy resources at your fingertips.
•
Visit AdoptChange.org to find out more about these entities and how to protect yourself.

02/14/2024

Happy Valentine’s Day from the AdoptChange crew ❤️

02/13/2024

Thank you Rep. Adam Smith for cosponsoring the ADOPT Act and your commitment to oversight, protection, and transparency in domestic adoption.

12/31/2023

Friends, 2023 has been nothing short of hopeful. We hope you are taking time to reflect on this year’s wins and encouraging moments, as we are. Here are a few things that happened this year…

• California took action to eliminate the unlicensed adoption facilitators program through the passage of AB-120, joining 31 other states in prohibiting unlicensed entities from providing adoption services.
• HR 6220, the ADOPT Act, was introduced in the House by Rep. Kuster, Rep. Lamborn, and Rep. Aderholt. This landmark legislation aims to prohibit unlicensed intermediaries from providing adoption services in interstate cases.
• HR 6700, the Adoption Counts Act, was introduced in the House by Rep. Lamborn. This legislation would require the Children's Bureau to collect and maintain data for all private adoptions. This hasn't been done since the 70s!
• AdoptChange.org was launched after three years of development by Ethical Family Building. The site features a searchable database of every private domestic adoption professional in the United States, interactive state law maps, and opportunities to get involved in advocacy efforts around the country.

We wish you all a happy new year, filled with joy, rest, and most of all, hope. See you in 2024! ✨
•
•
•