Adoption is a life-changing journey for everyone involved.
For expectant parents in Milwaukee, it’s an opportunity to make a selfless, loving decision that secures a brighter future for your baby. For hopeful adoptive families, adoption is the chance to fulfill your dream of parenthood by welcoming a child into your family.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about adoption in Milwaukee. If you have questions or need support, you can call 608-821-8220 or email aowinfo@adoptionsofwisconsin.com. You’re also welcome to visit our office in Madison:
Madison
433 W. Washington Ave., Suite 300
608-821-8220
How to Put a Baby Up for Adoption in Milwaukee
If you’re an expectant parent in Milwaukee considering adoption, we’re here to help. We offer free counseling to ensure you feel confident and supported every step of the way.
The adoption process is designed to put you in control and honor your wishes for your baby’s future. Here are the five steps involved in placing a baby for adoption:
Step 1: Contact an adoption agency near Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Our compassionate social workers at Adoptions of Wisconsin Inc. are here to guide you as you decide what’s best for you and your baby. Call 608-821-8221 to get in touch today.
Step 2: Create an adoption plan according to your preferences. Your adoption plan will outline your preferences for every aspect of the process.
Step 3: Choose the perfect adoptive family for your baby. Browse profiles of waiting families to find the one that feels right for your baby’s future.
Step 4: Decide how the hospital stay will go. You’re in control of how your hospital experience unfolds. You get to decide who will be in the room and who holds your baby first.
Step 5: Prepare for life post-placement. Our social workers will support you as you navigate this new chapter. With open adoption, you can maintain a meaningful connection with your baby and their adoptive family.
Adoption Financial Assistance in Milwaukee
If you’re placing your baby for adoption in Milwaukee, the adoptive family can cover expenses such as:
Counseling
Maternity clothes (up to $300)
Transportation for medical- or adoption-related appointments
Pregnancy and childbirth medical expenses
Living expenses (up to $5,000 if necessary)
Birthing classes
A small gift for you (up to $100)
How to Adopt a Baby in Milwaukee
If you’re a hopeful adoptive family in Milwaukee, we’re here to help you grow your family. Here are the five steps of the adoption process:
Step 1: Look for an adoption agency. Only licensed professionals like our agency can facilitate adoptions in Wisconsin.
Step 2: Complete a home study. A home study involves gathering documents, undergoing a home inspection and participating in an interview to ensure you’re ready to adopt.
Step 3: Create an adoptive family profile. Your profile includes photos, letters and details about your family so expectant parents can get to know you.
Step 4: Meet with the expecting parents. If the expectant parents choose an open adoption, you could meet to discuss your shared hopes for the adoption.
Step 5: Welcome your baby into your family. After six months at home raising your adopted child, you can finalize the adoption in court.
Adoption Agencies in Milwaukee
Milwaukee has several adoption agencies to meet your needs depending on the type of adoption you’re pursuing:
Private domestic adoption
Foster care adoption
International adoption
Types of Adoption in Milwaukee
There are several types of adoption to consider, depending on your family-building goals.
Infant adoption: You can adopt a newborn or infant through a private domestic adoption agency.
Foster care adoption: You can adopt older children, sibling groups and children with special needs through foster care agencies.
International adoption: You can adopt a child from another country through a Hague-accredited agency.
Stepparent adoption: If you want to become a legal parent to your spouse’s kids, you can move forward with this type of adoption.
Adoption Laws in Milwaukee
Milwaukee’s adoption laws are designed to protect everyone involved and ensure the process is ethical, fair and smooth. Here are a few you will want to keep in mind:
Adoption professionals: Only licensed professionals can facilitate adoptions and complete home studies in Wisconsin.
Financial assistance: In Wisconsin, expectant parents can receive financial assistance for maternity clothes, medical expenses, certain transportation costs and more.
Birth fathers: Adoption usually requires consent from both birth parents unless a court has terminated one parent's rights or the parent has been absent for more than a year.
Consent to the adoption: Birth parents can consent to the adoption after the baby is born.
ICPC: The Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) law applies to adoptions that cross state lines in order to protect children from trafficking.
Adoption Requirements in Milwaukee
If you’re an expectant parent, there are no requirements to put your baby up for adoption in Wisconsin. We can help you get started and be by your side every step of the way.
However, if you’re hoping to adopt, there are the legal requirements:
Be at least 21 years old.
Be single or married for at least one year.
Have enough space in your home for a child.
Make enough to support your household.
Complete 25 hours of preadoption preparation, including six hours of in-person training and six hours focused on the child’s needs.
Complete a home study.
Milwaukee Adoption Costs
There’s no cost to put your baby up for adoption in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Unplanned pregnancies are difficult enough without worrying about additional costs. Our agency can ensure you receive the support and resources you need.
If you want to adopt a baby, private domestic adoptions typically start at $30,000. This includes agency fees, expectant parents’ legal and medical costs and other services. We don’t offer financial assistance for hopeful adoptive families. However, you can explore grants, loans and fundraisers to help cover your adoption costs.
Foster care adoptions are much more affordable with minimal fees. The state of Wisconsin aims to remove any barrier to finding children stable, loving homes. Many older kids, sibling groups and children with special needs are available for immediate adoption.
Other Adoption Professionals in Milwaukee
Here are some other adoption professionals you may need to work with in Milwaukee:
Adoption attorneys: Adoption attorneys in Milwaukee handle the legal processes for adoptions.
Home study agencies: We’re licensed to complete home studies in Wisconsin, so we can handle every aspect of the adoption process.
Adoption social workers: Our social workers offer counseling to expectant parents and work closely with hopeful adoptive couples to help them fulfill their dreams of parenthood.
Foster care services: We can refer you to a local foster care agency.
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If you have questions or are ready to begin your adoption journey, reach out to us at 608-821-8220 or email aowinfo@adoptionsofwisconsin.com. We’re here to guide you every step of the way.
