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Hattiesburg Adoption & Foster Care Resources

For adoptive parents and expecting mothers alike, adoption is a long process that requires help from a number of different professionals. If you live in Hattiesburg, Mississippi and are considering adoption, then the following page will provide you with all of the local resources you need.

Adoption Agencies and Professionals in Hattiesburg

Prospective birth parents and hopeful adoptive families should work closely with an adoption professional throughout the process. This professional will provide education, counseling and the adoption services you need to complete your adoption.

When choosing an adoption agency, some people prefer to work with an adoption professional in their area. The following adoption professionals are based in the Hattiesburg area and have experience completing local adoptions:

Hattiesburg Foster Care Resources

If you live in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and are interested in fostering a child, you will need to meet certain state requirements for foster parents and complete the home study process. Information about foster parent eligibility, as well as Mississippi home study requirements, is included in our state adoption information.

The following local agencies and resources can also provide additional information about becoming a foster parent in Hattiesburg:

Home Study Providers
The home study is a major milestone in every adoption and foster care process, and home study requirements are determined by the state. In Mississippi, the process includes at least one visit to the home and interviews with all members of the household. For more information about what to expect during the home study, visit our guide to Adoption in Mississippi.

When you are ready to begin the home study process, contact any of these legally qualified home study providers in your state:

  • New Beginnings
    662-842-6752
    With New Beginnings, you can be sure to receive help with your Mississippi-compliant home study and post-placement assessments.
  • Lifeline Children’s Services
    205-967-0811
    A licensed child-placing agency, Lifeline has licensed social workers in Mississippi and all of the states where they complete adoptions.

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

Hospitals near Hattiesburg

If you are a pregnant mother considering adoption, you will eventually need to create a hospital plan. Your adoption specialist and healthcare provider can assist you with this part of your adoption plan. When arranging for your hospital stay, you should consider where and how you want to give birth and who you want to be there with you.

As you think about your hospital trip, you can find more information about hospitals near you:

Mississippi Adoption Laws and Requirements

Hopeful parents and pregnant women considering adoption often have questions about Hattiesburg adoption laws, qualifications and processes. Adoption laws are determined by the state, and are the same in

Hattiesburg as they are anywhere else in Mississippi.  Read below for an overview of some of the adoption laws regulating adoption in Hattiesburg.

Birth Parents:
Many birth mothers and fathers have questions about the laws, rules and qualifications for placing a baby for adoption in Hattiesburg. Each state determines when and how birth parents can give consent at the time of an adoption. In Mississippi, a woman may not consent to an adoption until 72 hours after giving birth.

Information about adoption consent, relinquishment, paternity and more is available in our Mississippi adoption information.

Adoptive Families:
Hopeful adoptive parents in Mississippi must meet certain age and residency requirements and follow all laws regulating adoption expenses, finalization, the use of advertising, and more. To be eligible to adopt in Mississippi, you must have resided in the state for at least 6 months prior to the adoption.

A full outline of laws and regulations for adoptive families in Mississippi is available on our Mississippi adoption page.

County Court Information

All adoptions must be finalized in court, a proceeding which occurs around six months after placement. Following a number of post-placement visits, you will be asked to appear in court for the final hearing. At that time, your adoption specialist will provide you with more information.

Visit the Forrest County and Lamar County web pages to learn more about court proceedings in your area.

Things to Do in Hattiesburg

Many parents who adopt from Mississippi end up spending some time in Hattiesburg, either visiting prospective birth parents or waiting for their ICPC paperwork to be processed. If your adoption plan brings you to the Hattiesburg area, consider visiting:

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