Anchorage Adoption and Foster Care Resources

As a prospective adoptive or birth parent in Anchorage, you likely have many questions about how to adopt or place a baby for adoption in Alaska. Fortunately, there are many local resources and professionals available to assist you through the process. Below, learn more about these professionals and find answers to common questions about adoption in Anchorage.

Anchorage Adoption Agencies and Professionals

One of the first steps for birth mothers and adoptive parents in the process is to choose an adoption professional. You will work with your professional to get the services and support you need through every step of the process.

The following agencies and attorneys have experience completing adoptions in Anchorage and can help you reach your goals:

• American Adoptions
• Catholic Social Services
• Dorothea G. Aguero, Attorney at Law
• Law Office of Maryann Foley
• Otterson Law Office

Become a Foster Parent in Anchorage

Prospective foster and foster-adoptive parents in Alaska must meet certain eligibility requirements and attend training, complete the home study and submit background checks. More information about becoming a foster parent in Alaska is available through the Office of Children’s Services.

The following local agencies and resources can also provide additional information about becoming a foster parent in Anchorage:

• The Arc of Anchorage
• Denali Family Services
• AK Child & Family

Home Study Providers in Anchorage

For adoptive parents, the home study is one of the most important parts of every adoption and foster care process. The Alaska home study includes the following elements:

• Face-to-face interviews
• Home visit
• Assessment of prospective parents’ parenting abilities
• Criminal history checks
• Written references

For more information about what to expect during the home study process, visit our Alaska adoption page.

It is important to choose the right professional to complete your home study and ensure it complies with all state laws and requirements. To get started, contact a home study provider in your area:

• Fairbanks Counseling/Adoption
  907-456-4729
  Fairbanks Counseling & Adoption provides adoption services including Alaska home study services.
• Catholic Social Services
  907-222-7316
  CSS provides home study services for families adopting from its infant adoption program, international adoption program or through the Alaska Office of Children’s Services.

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

Hospitals in Anchorage

One of the most emotional parts of the adoption process, both for birth parents and adoptive families, is the time spent in the hospital when the baby is born. It is entirely up to the birth mother to decide how she would like her hospital stay to go.

If you are making an adoption plan for your baby, you will work with your adoption professional and your delivery hospital to ensure everything happens exactly as you want it to. When you are ready to begin creating your hospital plan, here are some Anchorage area hospitals that may be able to assist you:

• Alaska Regional Hospital
  2801 DeBarr Road
  Anchorage, AK 99508
  907-276-1131
• Providence Alaska Medical Center
  3200 Providence Drive
  Anchorage, AK 99508
  907-562-2211
• Alaska Native Medical Center
  4320 Diplomacy Drive
  Anchorage, AK 99508
  907-729-3200

Adoption Laws and Qualifications

Some of the most common questions for birth parents and adoptive families in Anchorage are about local adoption laws and regulations. Adoption laws are determined by the state and are the same in Anchorage as they are in Fairbanks, Juneau and anywhere else in the state.

The following provides an overview of the types of laws and regulations in place in Alaska.

Adoption Laws for Birth Parents

For prospective birth parents, some of the most important laws are those regarding consent and relinquishment. Alaska statutes regulate who must consent to an adoption, when and how consent can be executed, when consent becomes irrevocable, and more. This information, along with other Alaska adoption laws, can be found here.

Laws for Adoptive Families

Hopeful adoptive parents often wonder whether they are eligible to adopt, what expenses they are permitted to pay, and the types of professionals who may advertise or facilitate an adoption. An outline of these and other Alaska adoption laws is available in our Alaska adoption information.

Municipality Courts

At the end of the process, every adoption must be finalized in family court. If you are adopting in Anchorage, Alaska, find information about finalizing your adoption here.

Things to do in Anchorage

As you visit prospective birth parents or wait for ICPC paperwork to be processed, you may find yourself spending some time in Anchorage during the adoption process. Here are some fun ways to spend your time if you are looking for things to do in the area:

• Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center
• Chugach National Forest
• Tony Knowles Coastal Trail
• Flattop Mountain Trail
• Alaska Railroad Depot
• Alaska Native Heritage Center