Lawton Adoption & Foster Care Resources

For hopeful adoptive families and prospective birth mothers alike, the adoption process requires a lot of careful thought, research, and planning. If you are pursuing adoption in the Lawton area, you may be wondering what resources you have available to you. Whatever stage of your adoption journey you are on, the information provided here can help you with adoption in Lawton, Oklahoma.

Adoption Agencies and Professionals in Lawton

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.
If you would prefer to work with a local or regional agency, consider the following Lawton adoption professionals:

Catholic Charities
Adoption Choices of Oklahoma

Lawton Foster Care Resources

Foster care programs, requirements and processes vary depending on state laws. In Oklahoma, the requirements for foster parents include:

Be 21 years of age or older
Show proof of good health and stable income
Complete a background check and home study
Complete 27 hours of orientation

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 Lawton:

Home Study Providers

All prospective adoptive families must complete a home study. It is recommended that you begin the process as soon as possible, as it can take up to a few months and you must complete it before you can move forward in your adoption.
For your home study, you will need to contact a licensed social worker to conduct a background check, a home inspection, and interviews with you and your family. To begin the process or inquire further, contact one of the following Oklahoma-licensed home study providers:

Private Home Studies of Oklahoma, LLC
405-514-8669
Contact Home Study Specialist Jennifer Coffman, MS to get started on your Oklahoma home study or to ask any questions about the process.

Hospitals near Lawton

As the baby’s due date draws closer, it is up to the expectant mother to create a hospital plan for her stay. If you are making an adoption plan for your baby, this will be your opportunity to decide who is in the delivery room with you, how much time you will spend with your baby and the adoptive family, and more.
When you are ready to begin planning your hospital stay, your adoption agency will work with the delivery hospital to make them aware of your wishes. Here are some local Lawton hospitals that you may be able to work with:

Comanche County Memorial Hospital
3401 West Gore Boulevard
Lawton, OK 73505
580-355-8620
Lawton Indian Hospital
1515 North Lawrie Tatum Road
Lawton, OK 73507
580-354-5000

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

Oklahoma Adoption Laws and Requirements

Some of the most common questions for couples and individuals considering adoption in Lawton are about local adoption laws and regulations. Adoption laws are determined by the state and are the same in Lawton as they are anywhere else in the state.
The following provides an overview of the types of laws and regulations in place in Oklahoma. More detailed adoption law information is available on our Oklahoma adoption page.
Birth Parents:
For prospective birth parents, some of the most important adoption laws are those regarding consent and relinquishment. Oklahoma laws state that a birth mother must wait until after the child is born before she can give legal consent to the adoption.
There are also laws regulating who must consent to an adoption, when and how consent can be executed, and more. This information and other Oklahoma birth parent laws can be found at the Child Welfare Information Gateway.
Adoptive Families:
In every state, there are laws in place regulating who is eligible to adopt. In Oklahoma, an individual or married couple may adopt if they are at least 21 years old.
Oklahoma statutes also dictate what expenses an adoptive family is permitted to pay, the types of adoption professionals who may advertise or facilitate an adoption, and more. To learn more about your eligibility to adopt, review your state’s adoption laws and speak with your adoption professional about additional requirements they may have.
County Court Information
Lawton adoptions must be finalized in court which will usually take place around six months after you take your child home. If you are adopting in Lawton, Oklahoma, find your local courthouse and other details about proceedings in your county for additional information.

Things to Do in Lawton

As adoptive parents, you may find yourself in the Lawton area during the adoption process to visit your baby’s birth parents or wait for ICPC clearances. If you are looking for ways to spend your time in Lawton before returning to your home state, here are some of the top attractions in the area: