Home » Adoptions by State » How to Adopt in Florida » Tampa Adoption & Foster Care Resources Tampa Adoption & Foster Care Resources Couples hoping to adopt or women placing a child for adoption in Tampa may be wondering what local resources are available to them. For anyone pursuing adoption or looking to learn more about the process, the following compilation of resources will provide you with what you need to know about adoption in Tampa. Tampa Adoption Agencies and Adoption Professionals Prospective birth mothers and adoptive families have many choices of adoption professionals. Below, you can find a list of some Tampa adoption agencies and professionals that can help you begin the process: American Adoptions of Florida Bryan McLachlan - Tampa Domestic Adoption Attorney Heartfelt Adoptions and Surrogacy Services Become a Foster Parent in Tampa If you want to become a foster parent in Tampa, then you must first meet the state’s requirements. In order to be a foster parent in Florida, you must: Attend orientation and training Complete a background check Pass a home study to determine your readiness to foster For more information on foster care and available children in your area, contact one of the following local professionals: Bryan McLachlan - Tampa Foster Care Adoption Attorney Fostering Hope Florida Eckerd Kids A Kid’s Place of Tampa Bay Home Study Providers The home study is a process that includes a background check, a home visit, and an interview of the prospective adoptive family. This ensures that the family and home are safe and ready for a child. If you are hoping to adopt and need to complete your home study, you must find a state-licensed social worker to conduct the home study for you. Here, you can find a list of Florida-licensed social workers: Near Tampa: Adoption Home Study Services 727-375-2996 In addition to conducting home studies, Adoption Home Study Services also provides support and education to families hoping to adopt. Heart of Adoptions, Inc. 813-258-6505 Heart of Adoptions offers affordable home study and post-placement services for Florida families. In Florida: Connecting Hearts Adoption Services 407-733-8642 You can find all of the information about fees, the home study process, and other services on the Connecting Hearts website. Hope for Families 772-429-3334 If you are looking to foster or adopt in Florida, Hope for Families can help you with completing your home study and financing your adoption. Sunshine State Adoption and Home Study Services 407-422-9136 Sunshine State Adoption and Home Study Services has social workers located in several Florida cities, so you can find one near you to help you with the process. Visit 1800HomeStudy.com to learn more about Florida home study providers. Hospitals near Tampa If you are pursuing an adoption plan for your unborn child, then you will eventually need to create a hospital plan as well. As the mother, you get to decide where and how you will have your baby, who you want to be there with you, and how much time you would like with your child. Many hospitals are adoption-friendly and will help you to have a positive labor and delivery experience. For more information, contact one of the hospitals near you: Joseph Women’s Hospital 3030 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Tampa, FL 33607 813-879-4730 Tampa General Hospital 1 Tampa General Circle Tampa, FL 33606 813-844-7000 Florida Hospital Tampa 3100 East Fletcher Avenue Tampa, Florida 33613 813-971-6000 Brandon Regional Hospital 119 Oakfield Dr Brandon, FL 33511 813-681-5551 Guiding Star Tampa 18560 Dale Mabry Highway Lutz, FL 33548 813-948-7734 Laws and Adoption Requirements in Florida If you are pursuing adoption, either as an adopting couple or expecting mother, you take note of the laws of your state. To learn more, visit our page on adoption in Florida, or read on for an overview of adoption laws pertaining to birth parents and adoptive families. Birth Parents: Women pursuing adoption in Florida must wait a minimum of 72 hours after giving birth before they can terminate their parental rights. This allows them to recover from delivery before making their final decision. The rights of the child’s father must also be terminated in order for the adoption to be valid. If the father will not consent to the adoption or cannot be contacted, speak to your adoption specialist about how you can move forward without his written consent. For more information, visit the Child Welfare Information Gateway. Adoptive Families: If you are looking to adopt in Tampa, then you must meet Florida’s adoption requirements as well as the requirements of your adoption professional. Florida law states that any husband and wife or unmarried individual may adopt a child. In some cases, a married person may also adopt without his or her spouse. Your adoption agency or professional may have additional requirements based on age, marital status, religious affiliation, or other factors. Be sure to take this into consideration when choosing an adoption professional. Tampa Court Information All adoptions must be finalized in court, a proceeding that takes place about six months after placement. Your adoption professional will guide you through the process when it is time for you to appear in court. For more information about the judicial system in your area, visit the Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court. Things to Do in Tampa If you are adopting in Tampa from out of state, then you will have to stay in Florida for 7-10 business days after placement to wait for legal clearance. During this time, here are some things you can find to do in the Tampa area: Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo Museum of Science and Industry Henry B. Plant Museum Busch Gardens The Florida Aquarium How to Adopt in Florida How to Adopt in Florida: The Adoption ProcessAdoption is a popular option for many families because it allows you to grow your family while providing a home to a waiting child....Learn MoreAdopting a Baby in FloridaMany families choose private domestic adoption because it offers a direct path to adopting a baby in Florida. Have you considered infant adoption in...Learn MoreFlorida Foster Care AdoptionIn Florida, foster care adoption offers a rewarding way to grow your family because it also allows you to provide a home to a...Learn MoreInternational Adoption in FloridaInternational adoption in Florida is a rewarding way to expand your family because it allows you to provide a home to a waiting child...Learn MoreAdoption Requirements in FloridaAdoption requirements in Florida are necessary because they ensure the safety of the adoptee and prepare you for the responsibility of becoming a potential...Learn MoreFlorida Adoption Home StudyThe Florida adoption home study is a critical part of the adoption process because it ensures the safety of the adoptee while demonstrating that...Learn MoreFlorida Adoption LawsFlorida adoption laws are important because they govern the process of placing a child for adoption and adopting within the state. Have you thought...Learn MoreHow to Receive Your Final Decree of Adoption in FloridaFinalizing an adoption in Florida can be one of the most exciting days of your life, because it will mark the growth of your...Learn MoreOrlando Adoption & Foster Care ResourcesIf you are in the Orlando area and thinking about adoption, either as an expecting mother or an adopting family, the following resources will...Learn MoreSt. Petersburg Adoption & Foster Care ResourcesRead on for more information about local adoption and foster care professionals, home study providers and other St. Petersburg adoption and foster care services. Learn MoreMiami Adoption & Foster Care ResourcesIf you are hoping to adopt, foster, or place a child for adoption in Miami, the resources provided here will help you get started.Learn MoreJacksonville Adoption & Foster Care ResourcesIf you are looking to learn more about adoption in Jacksonville, Florida, the following page will help to guide you through the process.Learn More