North Charleston Adoption & Foster Care Resources

If you are in the North Charleston, South Carolina, area and looking to start your adoption journey, you may be unsure of where and how to start. The following resources will help guide you through each stage of adopting or placing a child for adoption in North Charleston. Read on to find information about local adoption agencies, foster care professionals, home study providers, and more.

Adoption Agencies and Adoption Professionals in North Charleston

As a prospective birth parent or adoptive family, your adoption professional will play an integral role in shaping your experience. Your adoption agency or attorney can help guide you through the process and ensure you receive the support and services you need along the way.
The following professionals can help you complete your adoption in North Charleston:

• The Law Offices of James Fletcher Thompson, LLC
• Lowndes & Barrett, LLC
• Lifeline Children’s Services

North Charleston Foster Care Professionals

Hopeful foster parents must meet the eligibility requirements of the state of South Carolina, as well as the foster care professional they work with.
If you are interested in becoming a foster parent or learning more about foster care in North Charleston, contact one of the following agencies or another local professional:

• Neighbor to Family, Inc.
• Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth
• South Carolina Department of Social Services

For more information about foster care requirements and foster-to-adopt placements in South Carolina, visit our How to Adopt in South Carolina page.

Home Study Providers in North Charleston

Whether you choose private infant adoption or foster care in North Charleston, you will need to complete a home study that meets South Carolina requirements. Information about the South Carolina home study process and requirements is available on our adoption in South Carolina page.
After a background check, a collection of documents, home inspections and interviews with your family, your home study provider will determine if your home is safe and ready for a child. To get started on your adoption or foster care home study in North Charleston, contact one of these area home study professionals:

• Adoption Matters, Inc. (SC)
  843-480-2111
  Adoption Matters, Inc. is a nonprofit child placing agency licensed in North Carolina and South Carolina. The agency offers home studies and post-placement supervision in addition to options counseling, stepparent adoptions and supportive counseling for all members of the adoption triad.
• Carolina Adoption Services
  800-632-9312
  Carolina Adoption Services (CAS) is licensed to provide adoption home study services in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

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

Hospitals in North Charleston

Prospective birth mothers should work with their adoption specialist and healthcare provider to plan for the hospital trip when it is time to have the baby. If you are an expecting mother considering adoption, you and your specialist will discuss what kind of labor and delivery experience you want, how much time you would like with your baby, and who you want to be there with you.
When you are ready to start making your hospital plan, your adoption agency will communicate with your delivery hospital to ensure everything goes according to your wishes. As you consider your hospital plan, learn more about some hospitals in North Charleston:

• MUSC Women’s Care in North Charleston
  3210 Landmark Drive
  North Charleston, SC 29418
  843-876-0880
• MUSC North Charleston
  8992 University Boulevard
  North Charleston, SC 29406
  843-876-0880
• Trident Medical Center
  9330 Medical Plz Dr.
  Charleston, SC 29406
  843-797-7000
• Summerville Medical Center
  295 Midland Pkwy
  Summerville, SC 29485
  843-832-5000

Additional local hospitals, along with other adoption and foster care resources, may be found in nearby Charleston, South Carolina.

Adoption Laws and Qualifications

Adoption is a legal process regulated by state laws. Pregnant mothers and adoptive families both have certain legal rights, responsibilities and requirements that must be recognized during the adoption process.
Below, find an overview of the statutes impacting adoptive parents and birth parents in North Charleston, and learn more about state adoption laws, qualifications and processes on our South Carolina adoption page.
Laws for Birth Parents:
Every adoption involves the legal termination of the birth mother’s and father’s parental rights. If you are considering placing your baby for adoption in North Charleston, get the information you need about birth father rights, executing consent and more here.
Laws for Adoptive Parents:
Throughout the adoption process, North Charleston families must adhere to South Carolina laws regulating adoption expenses, adoption finalization, advertising and more. These laws are outlined here.
County Courts
After an adoptive family brings their baby home and satisfies post-placement visitation requirements, the adoption will need to be legally finalized in court. If you are adopting in North Charleston, your adoption specialist or attorney will contact you and tell you when and where to appear for your court hearing. For more information, follow the links below to learn about North Charleston courts:

• Berkeley County
• Charleston County
• Dorchester County

Things to do in North Charleston

If you are an adoptive parent and your child is born in North Charleston, you may find yourself in the area visiting your baby’s birth parents or waiting for ICPC clearances. If you are looking for ways to spend your time in North Charleston before returning to your home state, here are some of the top attractions in the area:

• Riverfront Park
• North Charleston Fire Museum
• Wannamaker County Park
• Whirlin’ Waters Adventure Park