Elizabeth Adoption & Foster Care Resources

If you are a family hoping to grow through adoption or a pregnant woman considering adoption for your baby, you will need a variety of services and support throughout the adoption process. Here, you will find all the local adoption agencies, foster care information and home study providers you need to complete your adoption in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Elizabeth Adoption Agencies and Professionals

Prospective birth parents and hopeful adoptive families both have the option of working with an adoption agency in their area. When you choose to adopt with an agency, you will have an adoption specialist to guide you through the process and provide education, counseling, and comprehensive adoption services.
Below, you can follow the links to adoption professionals in or around Elizabeth:

• Alliance for Children
• Children’s Aid and Family Services
• Andrew M. Wolfenson, Attorney at Law
• Douglas M. Pine, LLC

Elizabeth Foster Care Information

To learn more about foster care in your area, contact one of the following resources:

• Casa of Union County
• State of New Jersey Department of Children and Families

Home Study Providers in New Jersey

Consisting of personal interviews, background checks, home visits and more, the New Jersey home study is one of the most important parts of every adoption and foster care process.
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 home study provider in the state of New Jersey:

• Family Options
  732-936-0770
  For over two decades, this licensed, non-profit adoption agency has been helping New Jersey families grow their families by conducting home studies and providing other services.
• Adoptions from the Heart
  856-665-5655
  AFTH is licensed in several states, including New Jersey, to provide home studies and help you at every step of the adoption process.

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

Hospitals near Elizabeth

Pregnant mothers who are considering adoption must also consider their hospital plan as their due date approaches. If you are planning your hospital stay, you can work with your adoption specialist to determine where and how you would like to have your baby, who you want to be present with you, and how much contact you would like with your baby and the adoptive family on the big day.
To help you plan your hospital stay, you can contact one of the following hospitals near Elizabeth for more information on their facilities:

• Trinitas Regional Medical Center
  225 Williamson Street
  Elizabeth, NJ 07202
  908-994-5000
• Overlook Medical Center
  99 Beauvoir Avenue
  Summit, NJ 07901
  908-522-2000
• Saint Barnabas Medical Center
  94 Old Short Hills Road
  Livingston NJ 07039
  973-322-5000

Adoption Laws and Qualifications

Whether you are a family looking to adopt or a prospective birth mother, you must abide by the laws and regulations of your state to properly complete your adoption. For detailed information, you can view our How to Adopt in New Jersey page, or read below for an overview of laws pertaining to birth parents and adoptive families:
Birth Parents:
Each state has unique regulations that govern the adoption process and protect the rights of everyone involved. Under New Jersey law, birth mothers cannot legally consent to an adoption until at least 72 hours after giving birth.
The birth father’s rights must also be terminated, either voluntarily or involuntarily. If you have any questions about the birth father’s parental rights, speak to your adoption professional or view the birth parent information on our New Jersey adoption page.
Adoptive Families:
New Jersey’s adoption eligibility laws state that any individual or married couple may adopt, provided they are at least 18 and 10 years older than the child to be adopted. Additionally, you will need to meet the requirements put in place by your adoption professional, which can be based on factors such as age, marital status, religious affiliation, and more. Contact an adoption service provider with any specific questions you may have about their requirements.

County Court Information

While adoption is a lifelong journey, the legal process ends with the finalization of the adoption. This usually takes place about six months after you take your baby home, and your adoption professional will let you know when to appear in court. Find information about court proceedings on the Union County Clerk web page.

Things to Do in Elizabeth

If you adopt a child in Elizabeth from another state, you will have to remain in the state of New Jersey for 7-10 business days to wait for legal clearance. In the meantime, you can find some of the following things to do in Elizabeth:

• Midtown Elizabeth
• Liberty Hall Museum