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Grand Forks Adoption & Foster Care Resources

City of Grand Forks
Whether you are interested in adoption as an expectant mother or a prospective adoptive parent in Grand Forks, North Dakota, the following information will tell you everything you need to know about the adoption process.

Read on for more information about local adoption and foster care professionals, home study providers and other Grand Forks adoption and foster care services. For more information about state adoption laws, resources and processes, visit our Adoption in North Dakota page.

Adoption Agencies and Professionals in Grand Forks

There are multiple kinds of adoption professionals you can consult if you are considering adoption, including facilitators, law firms, and law centers. Adoption agencies, whether they are national or local, are beneficial to expecting mothers and adoptive families because they provide all of the services you need in one place.
If you would like to find an adoption agency or other professional in Grand Forks, follow some of the links below:

Grand Forks Foster Care Resources

Parents looking to pursue foster care in Grand Forks should become familiar with the requirements in North Dakota, which include:

  • Be at least 21 years old
  • Show financial stability
  • Have a home or apartment and homeowner’s or renter’s insurance
  • Have a steady income
  • Complete a background check
  • Provide references

To learn more about foster parenting in Grand Forks or to inquire about available children, contact one of your nearby foster care professionals:

Home Study Providers

Consisting of personal interviews, background checks, a home evaluation and more, the North Dakota 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 your area:

  • The Village Family Service Center 
    1-800-627-8220
    Susan Grundysen provides home study services for couples looking to grow their family in North Dakota.
  • Catholic Charities, ND
    701-235-4457
    Catholic Charities provides a wide variety of services to birth mothers and adoptive families, including assistance with home studies.

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

Hospitals near Grand Forks

If you are a pregnant mother and pursuing adoption, you will want to work with your adoption specialist and healthcare provider to plan your hospital stay. By creating a hospital plan, you can let those involved in your adoption know how you want the big day to proceed and who you want to be there with you.
To get started or find more information, you can contact a nearby hospital:

  • Altru Hospital
    1200 South Columbia Road
    Grand Forks, ND 58201
    701-780-5000

North Dakota Adoption Laws and Requirements

Expectant and adopting parents in Grand Forks must abide by North Dakota law when they are pursuing their adoption plans. To learn more about the process and legal procedures, visit our page on How to Adopt in North Dakota. For a brief overview of laws pertaining to birth parents and adoptive families, read the sections below.
Birth Parents:
In order for a child to be adopted, the birth mother and father must both give consent or have their parental rights otherwise terminated. In North Dakota, the mother’s consent may be given any time after the child is born.
In some cases, the explicit consent of the birth father is not needed. If the father of the child is not present, cannot be contacted, or does not consent to the adoption for another reason, speak to your adoption professional about what measures you need to take.
For more information on consent laws and your parental rights, visit the Child Welfare Information Gateway.
Adoptive Families:
Each state has a unique set of basic requirements that families must meet before they can pursue adoption. Adoption laws in North Dakota state that any adult or husband-and-wife couple is eligible to adopt if they complete a home study.
Additionally, you must meet the requirements put in place by your adoption professional. Adoption agencies and other professionals may have more stringent eligibility criteria, so make sure to take this into account when choosing who to work with in your adoption.

County Court Information

Adoptions are finalized in court after a number of post-placement visits by a social worker. Your adoption specialist will inform you of what you need to do when it is time to finalize your adoption. If you would like information on the courts near you, you can visit the Grand Forks County Courthouse.

Things to Do in Grand Forks

If you are adopting a child from the Grand Forks area, you may find yourself spending some time in the city, either visiting prospective birth parents or waiting for ICPC clearances. Here are some fun local attractions to visit if you are looking for ways to spend your time in Grand Forks:

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