Iowa City Adoption & Foster Care Resources

Whether you live in the Iowa City area or are planning to adopt a child from there, you may not know what adoption resources are available to you. Whatever stage you are at in your adoption journey, the following collection of information will help you adopt or place a child for adoption in Iowa City, Iowa.
If you would like information on the adoption process and related laws, visit our Adoption in Iowa page.

Iowa City Adoption Agencies and Professionals

Adoption agencies can be beneficial for adoptive families and prospective birth parents because of the comprehensive services they provide. If you choose to work with an agency, your specialist will guide you through every step of the process.
If you would like to begin your adoption with a local adoption agency, start with one of the following Iowa City adoption professionals:

• Hillcrest Family Services
• Birthright of Iowa City 

Additional nearby foster care and adoption resources may be available in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

How to Become a Foster Parent in Iowa City

To be a foster parent in Iowa City, couples and individuals must meet the requirements of the state and their chosen agency. For prospective foster parents in Iowa, that means meeting the following requirements:

• Be at least 21 years old
• Attend training
• Complete the Iowa home study

If you are interested in becoming a foster family, contact Iowa Foster Care and Adoption to get started.

Completing the Home Study in Iowa City

The home study is a major milestone in every adoption and foster care process, and home study requirements are determined by the state. In Iowa, the process includes at least one face-to-face interview with each member of the adoptive household, at least one home visit, and records checks for each adult in the home. For more information about what to expect during the home study, visit our guide to Adoption in Iowa.
When you are ready to begin the home study process, contact any of these legally qualified home study providers 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 Iowa City

As prospective birth mothers create an adoption plan, they should also prepare for their hospital stay. When the big day arrives, it is up to the birth mother to decide who she wants to be present with her, how much time she wants to spend with her baby, and how much she will interact with the adoptive family. Contact one of the following Iowa City hospitals for information as you begin thinking about your hospital plan:

• Mercy Iowa City
  500 East Market Street
  Iowa City, IA 52245
  319-339-0300
• University of Iowa Health Care
  1130 Scott Boulevard
  Iowa City, IA 52242
  319-467-6789

Adoption Laws and Qualifications

To protect everyone’s rights in the adoption process and ensure all legal requirements are met, it may be helpful for prospective birth parents and adoptive parents to understand certain Iowa adoption laws. Below, you can learn about the types of adoption laws in place in Iowa.
Birth Parents:
Birth parents must legally terminate their parental rights before an adoption can take place. Each state’s consent laws are different and must be followed in order for the adoption to be legally recognized. In Iowa, a mother must wait 72 hours after the birth of a child before she can give legally recognized consent. If you have any questions about birth father rights, consent or relinquishment, speak to your adoption professional.
Adoptive Families:
In the state of Iowa, adoption laws allow married couples and individuals to adopt, as long as they complete their home study. Additionally, you must also meet the adoption requirements of your agency or professional and follow all of your state’s adoption laws throughout the process.
County Court Information
Approximately six months after taking their baby home, an adoptive family must legally finalize their adoption in court. If you are waiting to finalize your adoption, your adoption specialist or attorney will provide you with more information before you appear in court.
For more information on court proceedings in your area, visit the website for Johnson County, Iowa.

Things to do in Iowa City

Throughout the adoption process, you may find yourself spending some time in Iowa City, either visiting prospective birth parents or waiting for ICPC clearances. Here are some local sights to enjoy during your time in the area:

• University of Iowa
• Old Capitol
• Devonian Fossil Gorge
• Museum of Natural History
• The Englert Theater
• Terry Trueblood Recreational Area