St. Petersburg Adoption & Foster Care Resources

Whether you are interested in adoption as an expectant mother or a prospective adoptive parent in St. Petersburg, Florida, the following information will tell you everything you need to know about the adoption process.
Read on for more information about local adoption and foster care professionals, home study providers and other St. Petersburg adoption and foster care services. For more information about state adoption laws, resources and processes, visit our Adoption in Florida page.

St. Petersburg Adoption Agencies and Professionals

Adoptive families and pregnant mothers alike can benefit from working with an adoption agency. Unlike other types of adoption professionals, agencies are equipped to provide you with comprehensive adoption services. If you are looking for an adoption agency or interested in learning more, follow the links below to find information on adoption agencies in St. Petersburg:

Become a St. Petersburg Foster Parent

Your first step to pursuing foster care in St. Petersburg will be meeting all of the Florida state requirements. These include:

Be at least 21 years of age
Complete foster parent training
Pass a criminal record and background check
Meet the Florida DCF’s standards for a suitable home

Different professionals may have slightly different or additional requirements for parents. If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, contact one of your local foster care professionals, some of which are listed below:

Home Study Professionals

For adoptive and foster parents in St. Petersburg, the home study is one of the most important parts of the process. The process involves a home inspection, background checks, and interviews of the family to make sure they are ready to adopt.
It is important to choose the right professional to complete your home study and ensure it complies with all Florida laws and requirements. To get started, contact a home study provider serving St. Petersburg:
Near St. Petersburg:

Destiny Adoption Services
727-202-9866
Destiny Adoption Services provides a variety of home study services to Florida families, including domestic, international, stepparent, and embryo adoption home studies, as well as post-placement visits.
Joshua Tree Adoptions
888-682-3678
The Joshua Tree Adoptions outlines the agency’s domestic and international home study services, along with the rates they charge for the home study and post-placement assessments.

In Florida:

Hope for Families
772-429-3334
On the Hope for Families home study page, you can find a description of the services they offer to Florida families, as well as a checklist of necessary documents.
ACF Adoptions
1-800-348-0467
ACF is a licensed, full-service adoption agency with qualified social workers who will take you through your Florida home study.

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

Hospitals near St. Petersburg

Pregnant women pursuing adoption will create an adoption plan, and part of that involves preparing for the hospital trip. This is the most anticipated event in an adoption, and you want to make sure that you have a positive labor and delivery experience.
Your healthcare provider and adoption specialist will be able to help you plan your hospital stay. In the meantime, you can view the information of hospitals and maternity wards near St. Petersburg:

St. Petersburg General Hospital
6500 38th Avenue North
St. Petersburg, FL 33710
727-384-1414
Bayfront Baby Place
550 6th Street South
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Phone: 727-290-1310
Florida Hospital Tampa
3100 East Fletcher Avenue
Tampa, Florida 33613
813-971-6000
Tampa General Hospital
1 Tampa General Circle
Tampa, FL 33606
813-844-7000

Florida Laws and Requirements to Adopt

Birth parents and adoptive families in St. Petersburg often have questions about local adoption laws. Adoption laws and regulations are determined by the state and are no different in St. Petersburg than in Miami, Orlando, or anywhere else in the state.
The following section provides an overview of the types of laws and regulations in place in Florida.
Laws for Birth Parents:
In order to complete an adoption, both birth parents must give their legal consent or have their parental rights terminated. The state of Florida requires that a birth mother wait 48 hours after giving birth to protect her from making a decision in a compromised state.
The birth father’s rights must also be terminated. If he cannot or will not consent to the adoption, you can speak to your adoption professional about your options. Read more about the rights of birth parents, consent laws, and more here.
Laws for Adoptive Families:
Florida’s basic adoption requirements state that any individual or married couple can adopt a child. The state’s laws also regulate several other aspects of the adoption process, including birth parent expenses, the finalization project, and much more. Visit our Florida adoption information page to find answers to any questions you may have.

County Court Information

All adoptions must be finalized in court. After you complete your post-placement assessments, your adoption professional will guide you through the finalization process and let you know when you need to appear for your court hearing.
To learn more about the finalization process, speak with you adoption professional, and visit the Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court page to learn more about the courts in your area.

Things to Do in St. Petersburg

Many adoptive parents in Florida spend some time in St. Petersburg during the adoption process. Whether you are visiting prospective birth parents or waiting for ICPC paperwork to be processed, consider visiting some of these top St. Petersburg attractions: