Do You Get Paid to Give Your Baby Up for Adoption in Puerto Rico [6 Facts]

Unexpected pregnancy comes with a lot of additional expense for a birth mother, which can make current financial challenges more stressful. If you’re overwhelmed when thinking about the cost of your unplanned pregnancy, we want you to know there’s help available.

If finances are a concern, you may be wondering:

• Do mothers get paid for adoption in Puerto Rico?
• Do I have to pay anything for putting my baby up for adoption?
• What does the law say about financial assistance for adoption in PR?
• Can you get paid for adoption through adoption agencies?
• Does adoption financial assistance only include specific expenses?

It’s true that you can get help with some pregnancy-related expenses through financial assistance for adoption. Your adoption agency will assist you in claiming the financial assistance for adoption you need and deserve. To speak with someone about doing that, simply complete our online form today.

For now, you can learn answers to the most common questions about adoption financial assistance in Puerto Rico by reading below.

1.  Do mothers get paid for adoption in Puerto Rico?

No, there are no circumstances in which mothers can get paid to give their baby up for adoption in Puerto Rico. The law prohibits adoption for compensation paid to birth parents. However, there is legal adoption financial assistance that you can get if you’re placing a child for adoption. Some pregnancy-related expenses can be paid by prospective adoptive parents, but before making any decisions, you should talk to an adoption professional for more information.

The law in Puerto Rico doesn’t explicitly state what expenses are eligible for adoption financial assistance. It does say that expenses paid for the “physical, emotional, and intellectual improvement of the adopted child” must be fully disclosed to the court at the time of the adoption.

While some birth mother expenses can be paid legally, you need to know that accepting or providing anything else of value for placing a child for adoption is unlawful and may result in prosecution for human trafficking.

2. Do PR birth mothers have to pay to put a child up for adoption?

No, you won’t pay a fee for placing a child for adoption in PR. Charging birth mothers is problematic for several reasons. The financial expense of pregnancy and delivery is burdensome enough without charging for adoption. In fact, because of the financial challenges that sometimes come with pregnancy, most pregnancy-related expenses can be paid through adoption financial assistance. Birth mothers can also get free services available through adoption agencies.

3. Can Puerto Rico birth mothers get financial assistance for adoption?

Birth mothers can get financial assistance for adoption in Puerto Rico, but it shouldn’t be considered payment for choosing adoption. Unplanned pregnancy comes with financial stress. When those additional costs are magnified by the potential limited ability to work, the situation can be challenging for some birth mothers.

That’s why PR law lets birth mothers get financial assistance for adoption. You don’t get paid for adoption in Puerto Rico, but adoption financial assistance can help with costs like:

• Living expenses: Expenses related to housing, utilities, and food for the birth mother and child.
• Medical expenses: Costs for prenatal care and delivery for mother and baby.
• Adoption resources: Charges for agency services like birth mother counseling.
• Legal expenses: Attorney and court costs stemming from the adoption.

If you’re wondering, “Do you get paid to put your baby up for adoption in Puerto Rico?” the answer is no. But there is adoption financial assistance in PR that can assist you with paying pregnancy- and adoption-associated costs.

4. Are there rules for birth mother adoption financial assistance in PR?

Puerto Rico adoption law is silent on the issue and doesn’t name the specific costs that are allowed as financial assistance for adoption. The only guidance for adoption financial assistance mentioned in PR law is that an accounting must be submitted to the court before the adoption is finalized that details all disbursements made for the “physical, emotional, and intellectual improvement of the adopted child.”

If financial assistance for adoption in PR is something you want to pursue, it’s wise to speak with an adoption specialist to make sure you’re in compliance with the law when giving baby up for adoption money in Puerto Rico.

5. What costs are not considered adoption financial assistance in Puerto Rico?

Puerto Rico law doesn’t describe specific allowed expenses, nor does it prohibit expenses by name. It’s worth noting, that Puerto Rico law does explicitly prohibit any compensation to birth parents for placement of a child. That is not considered adoption financial assistance and can lead to the parties being charged with a fourth-degree felony.

Payments for birth mother living expenses like utility bills, food, and rent are usually allowed as adoption financial assistance because they support the physical, emotional, and intellectual improvement of the adopted child. Paying for a luxury vacation for the birth mother, however, would be unlawful.

6. Can birth mothers get paid for adoption by adoption agencies in Puerto Rico?

Any compensation for choosing adoption is illegal in PR, no matter where it comes from. You can’t get paid for adoption in Puerto Rico by prospective adoptive parents, adoption agencies, or any party representing the interests of a prospective adoptive family.

Accepting compensation is a serious offense that can lead to prosecution for a fourth-degree felony in PR. It’s best to steer clear of anyone or any agency that suggests illegal payments for adoption.

Even though you don’t get paid for adoption in Puerto Rico, there is possible adoption financial assistance that you may be entitled to receive to pay pregnancy-related expenses. To get financial assistance for putting baby up for adoption, please talk to a professional.

Who should I turn to for more info about adoption financial assistance in PR?

Adoption financial assistance is an issue that is complex in nature. That’s why it’s best to get a knowledgeable professional on your team to give you advice. To speak to one of our adoption specialists about your financial needs and adoption financial assistance in Puerto Rico, please complete our free online form today and we’ll be in touch.