Des Moines Adoption & Foster Care Resources

If you are a prospective birth mother or hopeful adoptive parent in Des Moines, you probably have questions about adopting or placing a baby for adoption in Iowa. There are many local adoption and foster care services and professionals to assist you with your adoption plans.
Learn more about adoption in Des Moines below, and find additional information about adoption laws, processes and qualifications on our Adoption in Iowa page.

Des Moines Adoption Agencies and Adoption Professionals

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 near Des Moines, consider the following:

• Catholic Charities Diocese of Des Moines
• About a Child
• Graceful Adoptions
• Adoption Associates of Iowa
• Adoption Connection

Many national adoption agencies and other professionals throughout Iowa also serve the Des Moines area.

How to Become a Foster Parent in Des Moines

Being a foster parent or adopting from the foster system can be a rewarding way to grow your family. Prior to beginning the foster care or foster-to-adopt process in Des Moines, all prospective parents must meet certain Iowa state requirements. These requirements can be found on our Iowa adoption information page.
If you are ready to become a foster parent or if you have additional questions, contact a foster care professional in the Des Moines area:

• Lutheran Services in Iowa
• Iowa Foster & Adoptive Parents Association
• Children & Families of Iowa
• Youth & Shelter Services
• Iowa Foster Care and Adoption

Home Study Providers in Des Moines

For adoptive and foster parents, the home study is one of the most important parts of the process. The Iowa home study process includes criminal records checks, financial information, personal interviews and more.
For more information about what to expect during the home study process, visit our How to Adopt in Iowa page.
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 licensed home study provider in your area:

• William Pearce Adoption Services
  515-262-9047
  William Pearce Adoption Services offers domestic and international home studies and post-placement services.
• Adoption Associates of Iowa
  515-262-9047
  Adoption Associates of Iowa provides adoption home studies throughout Iowa.
• Children & Families of Iowa
  515-288-1981
  Children & Families of Iowa provides domestic and international adoption home study services and is accredited by the Council on Accreditation to provide international home studies.

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

Hospitals in Des Moines

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 Des Moines area hospitals that may be able to assist you:

• Iowa Methodist Medical Center
  1200 Pleasant Street
  Des Moines, IA 50309
  515-241-6212
• Iowa Lutheran Maternity Center
  700 E. University Avenue
  Des, Moines, IA
  515-263-5612
• Methodist West Maternity Center
  1660 60^th Street
  West Des Moines, IA
  515-343-1000
• Mercy Women & Infants’ Center
  1111 6^th Avenue
  Des Moines, IA 50314
  515-247-3121

Adoption Laws and Qualifications

Many local adoptive and birth parents have questions about Des Moines adoption laws and regulations. These laws are determined by the state and are the same in Des Moines as they are anywhere else in the state. The following provides an overview of the types of laws regulating Iowa adoptions.
Adoption Laws for Birth Parents
Some of the most important adoption laws for prospective birth parents are those regarding consent and relinquishment. Information about executing consent, protecting birth father rights and more is included in our Iowa adoption information.
Laws for Adoptive Families
Hopeful adoptive parents often wonder what types of adoption professionals they can work with, what adoption expenses they can pay, and even whether they meet the eligibility requirements to adopt in Iowa. This information, along with other Iowa adoption laws and home study information, can be found here.
County Courts
At the end of the adoption process, every adoption must be legally finalized in court. If you are adopting in Des Moines, Iowa, find information about finalizing your adoption in Polk County or Warren County.

Things to do in Des Moines

If you are adopting a child from the Des Moines area, you may find yourself spending some time in the city, either visiting prospective birth parents or waiting for ICPC clearances. Here are some fun local attractions to visit if you are looking for ways to spend your time in Des Moines:

• Capitol Building
• Iowa State Fairgrounds
• Pappajohn Sculpture Park
• Downtown Farmers Market
• Blank Park Zoo