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Lexington Adoption & Foster Care Resources

Lexington, Kentucky
Known as the home of Abraham Lincoln, the city of Lexington is also home to many resources for people pursuing adoption. For expecting mothers and hopeful families alike, this page has all of the information needed to complete an adoption in Lexington, Kentucky.
For information on laws and qualifications, visit our Adoption in Kentucky page. Here, you will find information for adoption professionals, home study providers, hospitals, and more.

Adoption Agencies and Professionals in Lexington

Whether you are a pregnant mother or a family hoping to adopt, your first step in the adoption process will be choosing a professional. If you are ready to start the process and looking for the right professional, you can start your search by visiting the pages of the following local agencies and professionals:

Lexington Foster Care Resources

To be a foster parent in Lexington, couples and individuals must meet the requirements of the state and their chosen agency. For prospective foster parents in Kentucky, that means you must:

  • Be at least 21 years old
  • Show evidence of good health and steady income
  • Attend an informational meeting and training
  • Complete a home study

If you are interested in becoming a foster family, contact a local foster care organization:

Home Study Providers

The home study signifies that you are officially ready to adopt a child. During this assessment, a social worker will conduct a background check, visit your home, and interview the members of your household to make sure your home is safe for a baby.
The home study can take up to a few months, so it is recommended that you begin as soon as possible. See the sections below for information on Kentucky-licensed home study providers:
Near Lexington:

  • Adoption Assistance, Inc.
    859-236-2761
    This full-service adoption agency offers help to birth parents as well as parents seeking domestic or international adoption. Along with their other services, they provide home studies.

In Kentucky:

  • All Blessings International
    1-866-543-7459
    Although they specialize in intercountry adoptions, All Blessings International is qualified and willing to help Kentucky families complete their domestic adoption home study, as well.

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

Hospitals near Lexington

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 Lexington area hospitals that may be able to assist you:

Kentucky Adoption Laws and Requirements

All adoptions taking place in Lexington must comply with Kentucky adoption laws. State adoption laws regulate many steps in the adoption process, and it is important to work with your adoption professional or adoption attorney to ensure your adoption is legally valid.
To learn more about Kentucky adoption laws, visit our Kentucky adoption page. For an overview of the legal processes that impact birth parents and adoptive families, read the following sections.
Birth Parents:
To protect your rights throughout the adoption process, there are several Kentucky laws in place regulating adoption consent, relinquishment, paternity establishment, and more. In Kentucky, a woman cannot consent to the adoption of her child earlier than 72 hours after giving birth.
The father of child must also have his rights terminated, which will be done differently depending on your situation. Find this information, along with other Kentucky adoption laws, in our state adoption information or at the Child Welfare Information Gateway.
Adoptive Families:
As you begin considering adoption in the Lexington area, you should become familiar with your state’s adoption requirements. In Kentucky, any adult who has resided in the state for a year can adopt a child.
Kentucky laws also regulate who is eligible to adopt, how much money can be spent on an adoption, how advertising may be used in connection with adoption, and more.  For specific information, you can speak to your adoption professional.

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, you can visit the Fayette County Circuit Court.

Things to Do in Lexington

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

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