Adoption in Milwaukee [Complete Guide]

Understanding how adoption works in Milwaukee can help you take the next step forward.

Whether you’re considering placing your baby for adoption or beginning the journey to adopt, this guide will walk you through each part of the process. We’ll go over what you can expect regarding the legal and financial aspects of each option.

If you’re ready to get started, you can contact us to speak with a licensed adoption specialist. You can also visit our local office:

Milwaukee

9000 W. Chester St., Ste. 100

Milwaukee, WI 53214

1-800-ADOPTION

How to Put a Baby Up for Adoption in Milwaukee

If you're pregnant and considering adoption in Milwaukee, here's what the process typically looks like:

Step 1: Contact an adoption agency. Reach out to a licensed agency like American Adoptions of Wisconsin to get the support you deserve.
Step 2: Create an adoption plan. You’ll decide what kind of adoption you want, including the type of family you want for your baby and the level of openness.
Step 3: Choose an adoptive family. You can look through adoptive family profiles and connect with the one that feels right for your baby.
Step 4: Give birth and provide adoption consent. After birth, you’ll sign legal documents to place your baby with the adoptive family.
Step 5: Take your next steps as a birth mother. With continued support and post-adoption contact (if you want), you can begin the next chapter of your life.

How to Adopt a Baby in Milwaukee

For hopeful parents in Milwaukee, adopting a baby involves several important steps:

Step 1: Select an adoption agency. Choose a licensed agency like American Adoptions of Wisconsin to begin your adoption journey.
Step 2: Complete the home study. A social worker will assess your home, background and lifestyle to ensure you meet all adoption requirements.
Step 3: Wait for an adoption opportunity. Your agency will present your profile to expectant parents until the right match is found.
Step 4: Bring your baby home. Once a pregnant woman chooses you as her baby's family, you'll travel (if needed) to meet your child and begin placement.
Step 5: Finalize the adoption in court. You’ll complete the legal process in court to officially welcome your child into your family.

Adoption Agencies in Milwaukee

The following professionals offer services tailored to different adoption paths, including domestic, foster care and international adoption.

Private Domestic Adoption

American Adoptions of Wisconsin

Foster Care Adoption

International Adoption

Types of Adoption in Milwaukee

Domestic Infant Adoption

Infant adoption involves placing or adopting a newborn through a licensed private agency. The expecting parents usually choose the adoptive family, and many opt for open adoption so they can stay in touch after placement.

Foster Care Adoption

Foster care adoption offers children in the foster system a chance at a stable, permanent home. These children are often older, part of a sibling group or have special needs.

International Adoption

International adoption means welcoming a child from another country into your family. This process involves working with an accredited international agency and includes travel. It can be a complex journey, but one that creates families across borders.

Stepparent Adoption

Stepparent adoption allows a stepparent to become the child’s legal parent. It’s often a simpler process and can help legally affirm the bond that already exists within the family.

Milwaukee Adoption Laws

Financial Assistance

If you're pregnant and considering adoption, you may qualify for help with living expenses. This can include rent, groceries, maternity clothing, medical bills and more.

Birth Fathers

Wisconsin law gives birth fathers certain rights, depending on their involvement. If the father is supportive or involved, he may be part of the process. If he's unknown or unsupportive, your adoption professional will help you navigate the legal steps needed.

Consent

In Milwaukee, consent for adoption can be given after the baby’s birth. It must be given in court or signed in writing before a qualifying official. You can read more about Wisconsin’s consent laws online.

ICPC

The Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) ensures legal and safe placement when the adoptive family lives in a different state. Adoption agencies handle all paperwork and approvals.

Milwaukee Adoption Requirements

Expecting parents don’t need to meet any requirements to choose adoption. Our goal is to offer support, not create barriers. We believe women facing unplanned pregnancies deserve compassionate help, not more pressure.

However, there are requirements to adopt for hopeful parents in Wisconsin. Here's what's required:

Be at least 21 years old.
You can adopt as a single adult or a married couple.
Complete 25 hours of preadoption training, including six hours of live webinar or in-person instruction.
Have a home with enough space for a child.
Show you can meet your household’s financial needs.
Have no convictions for violent crimes or offenses involving children.
Pass a home study from a licensed professional.

How Much Does It Cost to Adopt in Milwaukee?

Adoption costs vary depending on the path you choose. These costs help cover legal services, counseling, matching, travel and more.

Costs usually start at $30,000, according to research. At American Adoptions of Wisconsin, we offer transparent pricing and a Risk-Sharing Program that helps protect families financially in case of an adoption disruption.

Adopting through foster care is typically under $3,000. These costs usually only include the home study, legal paperwork and minimal travel. It is possible that your expenses may be covered by the state.

These adoptions can cost $70,000 or more. The high cost is due to international travel, legal fees in both countries, document translation and more.

Financial Assistance for Adoption in Milwaukee

Financial Assistance for Expecting Parents

If you’re pregnant and choosing adoption, you may be eligible for:

Counseling sessions
Maternity clothing (up to $300)
Medical and adoption-related transportation
Medical bills related to pregnancy
Living expenses (up to $5,000 if needed)
Birthing classes
A small gift (up to $100)

Your adoption specialist will help you apply for and receive the support you need.

Financial Assistance for Hopeful Families

If you're adopting, there are ways to ease the financial burden:

Grants (A Child Waits Foundation, Gift of Adoption Fund, Help Us Adopt, etc.)
Loans (SoFi, LightStream, USAA, etc.)
Fundraising (GoFundMe, social media campaigns, car washes, etc.)
Savings
The Adoption Tax Credit

Other Adoption Professionals in Milwaukee

Adoption involves a team of professionals, each playing a key role:

These professionals guide you through the legal aspects of adoption, including providing consent, finalizing the adoption and handling any necessary interstate paperwork.

These organizations conduct evaluations of your home and background to ensure you meet all requirements to adopt.

Social workers provide emotional support, counseling services and help facilitate communication between expecting and adoptive families.

These providers work with families who are fostering or planning to adopt from the foster care system, offering resources and case management throughout the process.

Ready to Begin Your Adoption Journey?

Whether you’re placing your baby for adoption or hoping to grow your family, you deserve support every step of the way. Adoption in Milwaukee is possible — and we’re here to help guide you through it.

Disclaimer
Information available through these links is the sole property of the companies and organizations listed therein. American Adoptions provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.

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