Huntsville Adoption & Foster Care Resources

The city of Huntsville, Alabama is home to many great sights and attractions, but you may not know that it also has a plenitude of adoption resources. Whether you are a prospective birth mother or a hopeful adoptive family, you can find all the information you need to pursue your Huntsville adoption on this page.

Adoption Agencies and Professionals in Huntsville

To begin the adoption process, many hopeful adoptive parents and pregnant women considering adoption first choose an adoption professional to help guide them through the process.
You have many choices when selecting an adoption professional. If you are interested in working with an adoption agency or attorney serving Huntsville, consider the following:

• American Adoptions
• Agape of North Alabama, Inc.
• Catholic Family Services
• Shelley L. Bilbrey, P.C.
• Brodowski, McCurry & Maynor, LLC
• New Beginnings Family Law

Huntsville Foster Care Resources

Like adoptive parents, foster parents must meet the requirements of their state before they can care for a child. If you want to become a foster parent in Alabama, you must fit the following criteria:

• Be at least 19 years old
• Meet all standards for an Alabama foster home
• Pass a background check
• Show evidence of good health

If you would like to learn more about fostering and available children near you, you can find a list of foster care agencies in or near Huntsville below:

• Kids to Love
• Alabama Department of Human Resources
• Lifeline Children’s Services

Home Study Providers

For prospective parents, the home study is one of the most important parts of every adoption and foster care process. Consisting of interviews, background checks, home visits and a written report, the Alabama home study helps ensure that your home is fit for a child.
It is important to choose the right professional to complete your adoption home study and ensure it complies with all state laws and requirements. To get started, contact a home study provider in your area:
Near Huntsville:

• T.H.E Social Work Services
  256-532-5145
  Kathie Butler of T.H.E Social Work Services is licensed in Alabama to perform home studies. She primarily works in the northern area of the state but occasionally works in other locations.

In Alabama:

• Alabama Social Work Services
  205-535-2161
  Tyler Simmons, LSCW, PIP, works mostly in West and Central Alabama, but he will also perform home studies for families in other parts of the state.
• Conner Adoption Services
  205-310-0581
  With almost a decade of experience in adoption, Rebecca Conner is qualified to help you with your domestic or international home study in Alabama.

Visit 1800HomeStudy.com to learn more about Alabama home study providers.

Hospitals near Huntsville

As the baby’s due date draws closer, it is up to the expectant mother to create a hospital plan for her stay. If you are making an adoption plan for your baby, this will be your opportunity to decide who is in the delivery room with you, how much time you will spend with your baby and the adoptive family, and more.
When you are ready to begin planning your hospital stay, your adoption agency will work with the delivery hospital to make them aware of your wishes. Here are some local Huntsville hospitals that you may be able to work with:

• Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children
  245 Governors Drive
  Huntsville, Alabama 35801
  256-265-1000
• Crestwood Medical Center
  One Hospital Drive
  Huntsville, AL 35801
  256-429-4000

Alabama Adoption Laws and Requirements

All adoptions taking place in Huntsville must comply with Alabama adoption laws. State adoption laws regulate many steps in the adoption process, and it is important to work with your adoption professional or adoption attorney to ensure your adoption is legally valid.
To learn more about Alabama adoption laws, visit our Alabama adoption page. For an overview of the legal processes that impact birth parents and adoptive families, read the following sections.
Birth Parents:
Every state has unique consent laws designed to protect your parental rights and help you to make an informed adoption decision. In Alabama, a woman may consent to an adoption at any time, but that consent will not be final until at least five days have passed. Similarly, the father of the child must also terminate his parental rights, either voluntarily or involuntarily.
If you have questions or concerns about the father’s role in your adoption, speak to your adoption attorney or visit our Alabama adoption page.
Adoptive Families:
All families must meet the basic eligibility requirements of their state in order to be able to adopt. Alabama’s adoption statutes allow any adult or husband-and-wife couple to adopt, provided they complete a home study.
Additionally, you may have to meet extra requirements put in place by your adoption professional. Speak to your particular professional if you have any questions or concerns, and view our Alabama adoption information to learn more.

County Court Information

Following placement, your adoption will need to be finalized in court. If you are finalizing your adoption in Huntsville, Alabama, find your local courthouse and other information about finalizing your adoption in your county by viewing one of the following court clerk pages:

• Madison County
• Limestone County

Things to Do in Huntsville

When families adopt from outside of their home state, they must remain in the birth mother’s state for 7-10 days to wait for legal clearance. If you are adopting in Huntsville from out of state, here are some things you can do during your time in the city:

• U.S. Space & Rocket Center
• Huntsville Botanical Garden
• Monte Sano State Park
• Huntsville Museum of Art