Paterson Adoption & Foster Care Resources

Whether you are interested in adopting a child or are considering placing your baby for adoption in the Paterson area, there are many local resources available to you. The following provides information about local adoption agencies, home study providers and other adoption and foster care services in Paterson, New Jersey.

Additional resources for expectant mothers and adoptive parents throughout the state can be found on our adoption in New Jersey page.

Paterson Adoption Agencies and Professionals

To begin the adoption process, one of the first steps adoptive parents and birth mothers should take is to choose an adoption professional. This professional will work with you through every step of the adoption, and it is important to choose a professional that can meet all of your individual needs.
Some prospective birth parents and adoptive families prefer to work with a local or regional adoption service provider. These professionals are qualified to serve families in Paterson, Passaic County, or the New York metropolitan area:

• Open Arms Adoption Network
• Bethany in Fair Lawn
• Douglas M. Pine, LLC
• Bastarrika, Soto, Gonzalez & Somohano, LLP

Foster Care Resources in Paterson

Foster care programs, requirements and processes are determined by the state. In Paterson, foster parents must meet all New Jersey foster care requirements, meet with a licensing worker and complete a home study.
Some agencies have additional training or requirements for the parents they work with. Contact a local foster care agency for more information about the process to become a foster parent in the Paterson area:

• Children’s Aid and Family Services
• The Children’s Home Society of New Jersey
• State of New Jersey Department of Children and Families

Home Study Providers

Every adoptive family in Paterson must complete the New Jersey home study before a child can be placed in their care. Whether you are fostering or adopting, the home study ensures you are ready to provide a safe and stable home for a child.
Information about the home study process is available on our New Jersey Adoption page. The following home study providers can provide additional information about completing the home study in your state:
Near Paterson:

• Spence-Chapin
  973-327-4729
  Spence-Chapin works in New York and New Jersey to provide home studies for domestic or international adoptions.
• Home Studies & Adoption Placement Services
  201-836-5554
  Located in Teaneck, this Hague-accredited, New Jersey-licensed adoption provider completes domestic and international home studies for families anywhere in the state.

In New Jersey:

• Family Options
  732-936-0770
  As a licensed, non-profit adoption agency, Family Options can help you with not just your New Jersey home study, but any other adoption needs you have.
• Adoptions from the Heart
  1-888-608-8373
  AFTH is licensed to provide home studies in several states, including New Jersey, and they specialize in domestic infant adoption.

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

Hospitals near Paterson

If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and making an adoption plan for your baby, you will have the opportunity to make many important choices throughout the adoption process, including complete control over your hospital stay. You will create a hospital plan that outlines all of your preferences for your labor and delivery.
The hospital will be aware of your plan ahead of time to ensure a smooth labor and delivery process. When you are ready to make your hospital plan, here are some nearby hospitals that you may be working with:

• St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center
  703 Main Street
  Paterson, NJ 07503
  973-754-2000
• Englewood Hospital and Medical Center
  350 Engle Street
  Englewood, NJ  07631
  201-894-3000
• The Valley Hospital
  223 North Van Dien Avenue
  Ridgewood, NJ 07450
  201-447-8000

New Jersey Adoption Laws and Requirements

Pregnant mothers and adoptive families both have certain legal rights, responsibilities, and requirements that must be recognized during the adoption process. The following sections provide prospective birth parents and families with information on adoption law, parental consent, and eligibility in the state of New Jersey.
Laws for Birth Parents:
If you are an expecting mother pursuing adoption, your parental rights must be legally terminated after the birth of the child. In the state of New Jersey, you can consent to the adoption of your child no sooner than 72 hours after giving birth; this law protects you from making a decision while in a compromised state.
The father of the child can terminate his parental rights any time after the child is born. In some cases, his consent may not be necessary to legalize your child’s adoption. If you are unsure about the father’s role in your adoption plan or if he cannot be contacted, speak to your adoption specialist or an attorney about your options.
For more information on consent laws and your rights in the adoption process, visit the Child Welfare Information Gateway.
Laws for Adoptive Families:
Families hoping to adopt in Paterson must comply with New Jersey adoption laws and eligibility requirements.  The state of New Jersey allows anyone to complete a home study if they are:

• At least 18 years old
• At least 10 years older than the adopted child
• A single parent or a married couple
• A close relative to the child

The adoption professional you choose to work with may have additional requirements, such as age, marital status, religious affiliation, and more. If you are currently looking for an adoption agency or professional, be sure that you fit into their criteria.

County Court Information

All adoptions are finalized in court before a judge. As your finalization date approaches, your adoption professional will guide you through the process and let you know what to do, where to go, and who needs to be present. If you would like more information on court proceedings in your area, visit the Passaic Vicinage webpage.

Things to Do in Paterson

Parents adopting from the Paterson area often spend some time there during the adoption process. While you visit prospective birth parents or wait for ICPC paperwork to be processed, here are some attractions to visit in Paterson:

• The Paterson Museum
• Lambert Castle
• Paterson Great Falls