Whether you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy, considering adoption after your baby is already born, or hoping to adopt a child yourself, these are the questions we hear most. If you don’t see your question answered here, call or text Angie any time at (941) 376-2009, or call our Sarasota office at (941) 957-0064.

For Birth & Expectant Parents

Getting Started

What kind of support do you offer birth parents?

Adoption counseling, help exploring parenting versus adoption, financial assistance where eligible, help finding prenatal care, and support choosing an adoptive family if you decide adoption is right for you. If you choose adoption, we stay available for emotional support for as long as you need it, even years later.

Is this really free for me?

Yes. All services for birth parents are completely free. Costs related to your pregnancy are covered through the adoptive family, by way of the agency, and are never paid by you or owed back.

What if I’m not sure adoption is right for me?

That’s completely normal, and you don’t need to have decided anything before you reach out. Our counselors review every option with you, including parenting, without pushing you toward a particular outcome. Choosing to parent is just as valid an outcome of that conversation as choosing adoption.

How do I get started?

Call or text Angie any time at (941) 376-2009, or call our Sarasota office at (941) 957-0064. Nothing is decided on that first call. It’s simply the start of getting information at whatever pace feels right for you.

Are you available 24/7?

Yes. Our counselors are available around the clock for expectant mothers considering adoption, and you can call or text Angie any time.

Financial Assistance & Affording Your Pregnancy

Is financial assistance available during my pregnancy?

Yes. If you’re considering an adoption plan, Florida law allows you to receive financial assistance for basic living needs throughout your pregnancy and for up to six weeks after your baby is born. This typically covers rent or housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, phone bills, and medical expenses related to your pregnancy.

Where does that money come from, and am I being paid for my baby?

The funds come from the adoptive family, by way of the agency, not from you. This assistance is never payment for your baby. Florida law prohibits the sale of children, and the assistance you receive is specifically for your own living and medical needs, not compensation for the adoption itself.

Can you help me get prenatal care or medical coverage?

Yes. We connect you with community resources to support a healthy pregnancy, help you apply for Florida Medicaid to cover pregnancy-related medical costs, connect you with providers in your area, and can help arrange transportation to your appointments.

What if I decide I’d rather parent my baby instead?

Financial struggle is a reason to reach out, not a reason to assume adoption is your only path. Our Resources for Birth Parents page lists food assistance, medical clinics, and other community organizations across Florida that can make parenting more financially manageable.

Do I have to pay anything back if I decide not to place my baby?

No. The assistance you receive is for your own basic needs during pregnancy and is not a loan or a debt tied to placing your baby.

The Adoption Process & Timeline

How does the adoption process work, step by step?

It typically starts with a conversation, by phone, text, or in person, where you can ask questions with nothing decided yet. From there you build your adoption plan, including your preferred level of openness, review profile books and choose the adoptive family, go through your hospital stay, and sign consent once you’re ready. After legal documents are signed, the adoptive family may receive temporary custody, with finalization in court a few months later. Support from our team continues after that.

How long does the process take?

It varies widely by situation. Some birth mothers reach out for the first time a day or two before delivery, while others start months into their pregnancy. There’s no minimum amount of time you need before your due date to begin, and our counselors move at whatever pace matches your circumstances.

How do I know if an adoption agency is reputable?

Look for an agency licensed in Florida, with a meaningful length of time in operation, that is transparent about its services being free to birth parents. A Bond of Love has been licensed and operating in Florida since 1992, with offices serving Sarasota and Tallahassee.

What questions should I ask an adoption agency?

It’s reasonable to ask whether services are truly free, who pays for your living expenses, whether you get to choose the adoptive family, what type of ongoing contact is available, and what support is offered after placement. An ethical agency should answer all of this clearly, without pressuring you toward a decision.

When do I sign consent, and when does custody transfer?

You retain full custody of your baby through birth and until you sign consent for adoption. Florida law allows you to sign 48 hours after birth or once you’ve received a written discharge order. You decide how you want to spend that time in the hospital, including whether you want visitors or want the adoptive family present.

What happens after I sign consent?

The adoptive family may receive temporary custody once the legal documents are signed, with the adoption finalized in court a few months later. Our relationship with you doesn’t end there. Many birth mothers we’ve worked with since 1992 still reach out years later, not just for updates on their children, but simply to check in with our team.

Choosing the Adoptive Family & Openness

Do I get to choose the adoptive family?

Yes. Every family hoping to adopt through A Bond of Love creates a profile book describing who they are and what their life looks like. You’ll be shown the profiles of families who match what you’re looking for, including any special requests around race, ethnicity, religion, or whether the family already has other children. You choose the family; we’re here to help you find the right match, not to make the decision for you.

What’s the difference between open, semi-open, and closed adoption?

In an open adoption, you pick the family, meet them directly (often before birth, with your counselor present), and can receive ongoing updates, photos, letters, and in-person visits, typically once a year if you choose. In a semi-open adoption, the most common arrangement, you still pick the family and receive updates and photos, but communication and updates go through the agency rather than directly, and no identifying information like the family’s last name or location is shared. In a closed adoption, you can still choose the family from profile books, but there’s no in-person meeting and no ongoing exchange of information or photos. This option is rare and usually chosen for confidentiality reasons.

Which type of adoption is most common?

Semi-open adoption. Closed adoptions were common decades ago, which is why people sometimes assume they’re still typical, but that isn’t the case today.

Can I send gifts, letters, or photos after placement?

Yes, in open and semi-open adoptions. In a semi-open adoption these are sent through the agency, which acts as the go-between; in an open adoption you may be able to send them more directly, depending on what you and the adoptive family agree to.

What if I want more direct contact, like visits?

That’s something you can request in an open adoption. Visits are typically arranged once a year if both you and the adoptive family agree, and your adoption counselor is present for the initial conversations about how that will work.

Legal Rights: Birth Mothers

What are my legal rights when placing my baby for adoption?

You have custody of your newborn until after birth and until you sign consent, which Florida law allows 48 hours after birth or once you’ve received a written discharge order. You also have the right to shape your birth and delivery plan, including who is present, and the right to supportive counseling throughout the process.

Should I work with an agency or an adoption attorney?

Florida allows birth parents to work with either. An agency, like A Bond of Love, typically provides counseling, family matching, and ongoing support at no cost to you, in addition to handling the legal paperwork. An attorney-led adoption can offer more direct control if you already know the adoptive family, but usually doesn’t include the same level of counseling or post-placement support. It’s worth asking any agency or attorney exactly what services are included and what happens if you change your mind.

What if I change my mind?

You retain full custody and the right to change your mind up until you sign consent, 48 hours after birth or upon written discharge. An ethical agency will make sure you understand this timeline clearly rather than pressuring you toward a decision.

Legal Rights: Birth Fathers

Does the birth father have rights in the adoption?

Yes. He has the right to be notified of the pregnancy and adoption plan, and the right to object to the plan, even if he isn’t involved in or supporting the pregnancy.

What if I don’t know the birth father’s address?

If his full name is known but his address isn’t, the agency must make a good-effort attempt to locate him, which can include hiring a private investigator.

What if the birth father is abusive?

You have rights and protections too. We will do everything possible to protect your confidentiality and location, and can help you develop a safety plan.

What if I don’t know who the biological father is?

All known possible birth fathers are notified. If the father is entirely unknown and can’t be notified, the agency is required to check Florida’s Putative Father Registry to confirm no one has claimed paternity. If no claim exists, the court can terminate any unknown father’s rights.

I’m married. Does my husband have to be involved?

Yes, even if he isn’t the biological father. Under Florida law a husband is considered the legal father, so he must sign a surrender for adoption. We’re here to support you through this process if it applies to your situation.

What choices does a birth father have once he’s notified?

He can deny paternity and surrender his rights, choose not to respond (which begins abandonment proceedings and terminates his rights), object to the adoption plan (in which case he must be willing to assume financial responsibility), or agree with the plan and sign consent. Most birth fathers choose not to parent and sign consent.

If You’re a Teen

I’m a teenager. Do I need my parents’ permission to place my baby for adoption?

Under Florida law, a minor parent has the legal power to consent to place her own child for adoption, and her parents’ permission is not required for that decision. If you’re 14 or younger, Florida law requires a parent, legal guardian, or court-appointed guardian ad litem to witness your signature, which is a witnessing requirement, not an approval requirement. If you’re 15 through 17, no parent or guardian involvement is legally required.

Will my information be kept confidential because I’m a minor?

Yes. Everything you share with our counselors is handled with the same confidentiality we offer any expectant mother, regardless of age. Florida law also gives you the right to supportive counseling from a counselor, social worker, physician, clergy member, or attorney throughout this process.

If Your Baby Is Already Born

Is it too late to place my baby for adoption if they’re already born?

No. Many of the women we work with reach out after delivery, sometimes because circumstances changed, sometimes because they didn’t realize adoption was still an option once the baby was home. Whether your baby is a week old or several months old, we can still walk you through building an adoption plan, choosing an adoptive family, and understanding the legal process from that point forward. The type of adoption, open, semi-open, or closed, is still entirely your choice.

What changes once I’ve already left the hospital?

The consent and custody process works a little differently, since the 48-hour hospital consent window has passed. Every situation is unique at this stage, including cases where the Department of Children and Families is already involved, so the right next step depends on your specific circumstances. Call us and we can talk through what applies to you.

What if I’m in an urgent situation and can’t care for my baby right now?

Florida’s Safe Haven law allows a parent to surrender an infant, generally up to 30 days old, at a hospital, staffed fire station, or EMS station, with no questions asked, or to call 911 to have an EMS provider meet you at a safe location. The surrender is anonymous and legally protected as long as there’s no abuse or neglect involved. This is separate from, and different in a few important ways from, making an adoption plan with an agency: a Safe Haven surrender doesn’t let you choose the adoptive family or receive updates afterward, while a private adoption plan gives you that control along with counseling and support throughout the process. If there’s any time at all to consider your options, call us first.

Support After Placement

Does support end once the adoption is finalized?

No. Adoption counseling doesn’t stop once you make a decision or once the adoption is finalized. Our counselors remain available to you for as long as you need us.

Can I contact A Bond of Love years later?

Yes. We’ve supported birth mothers who placed with us since 1992, and many still call to check in, not only for updates on the children they’ve placed but simply to talk with their case manager or our team. At A Bond of Love, these connections last a lifetime.

Is it normal to feel grief after placement, even if I know it was the right decision?

Yes. Grief is a normal, expected part of placing a child, even when you’re confident it was the right choice. It may surface right away or resurface months or years later, and there’s no wrong way to feel it. We can connect you with birth parent support groups and other grief resources on our Resources page.

For Adoptive Parents

Getting Started

How do I start the adoption process with A Bond of Love?

Contact us to begin. We’ll walk you through the application, home study, and the process of preparing an adoptive parent profile that will be shown to potential birth mothers.

Do you work with families outside Florida?

Yes. A Bond of Love provides adoption services to adoptive couples throughout the United States. The process varies somewhat depending on whether you’re based in Florida or another state, but in every case we help you locate and connect with a birth parent.

Are there any states you don’t serve?

A Bond of Love can place children in any state except New York. Families in New York must use an adoption agency licensed in their home state.

What’s an identified placement or an intervention adoption?

An identified placement is a situation where you already know of a child available for adoption, often through a friend, family member, or personal connection, and it can include an unplanned pregnancy or an older child whose parents’ rights have been terminated. An intervention refers to a placement that occurs after a child has been in state care through child welfare services, where the birth parents were unable to complete their reunification case plan and decide to place the child for adoption, choosing the adoptive family themselves. Both situations can occur in any state.

The Home Study

What is a home study, and why is it required?

The home study is the process that qualifies you as adoptive parents. It’s a significant amount of paperwork, but it exists to make sure every child placed through the agency receives a safe and loving home, and we take that responsibility seriously.

What does the home study process include?

Criminal background checks, reference letters, adoption education, character verification, and a home visit with an adoption counselor. Once you’ve returned your application and application fee, we work with you through each step.

How long is a home study valid?

One year. Because of that, it’s important to submit your paperwork in a timely manner. After a home study expires, it can be updated for a small fee.

I already have a home study from another agency. Can you use it?

Yes. A case manager will review your existing home study and verify that it meets Florida’s legal requirements and standards.

Do families outside Florida need their own home study?

Yes. Families residing outside Florida who are adopting a child from Florida will need their home study and post-placement visits completed by a licensed agency in their own state. A Bond of Love coordinates the Interstate Compact (ICPC) process to keep everything connected across state lines.

Costs & Financial Assistance

How much does adoption cost?

Costs vary depending on your specific situation and the services you need, including your home study, application fee, and any interstate coordination. Contact us directly for a clear picture of what applies to your circumstances.

Are there grants or financial assistance available for adoptive families?

Yes. National programs include Show Hope, Help Us Adopt (grants up to $15,000), the Tinina Q. Cade Foundation, Jaya Laxmi Co, and the Gift of Adoption Fund. Locally, the Bridge of Life Beatrice Fund offers small grants to residents of Manatee, Sarasota, and DeSoto counties. We can also point you toward other resources as they come up, and toward the Adoption Tax Credit.

Do I need a completed home study before applying for grants?

Yes, for most grant programs. We can complete your home study and recommend additional resources as needed.

Matching & Openness

How does matching with a birth mother work?

We ask every family hoping to adopt to create a profile book describing themselves and their life. Birth mothers are shown the profiles of families who match what they’re looking for, and they choose the family, not the other way around.

What’s a profile book?

A book that describes your family: who you are, what your life looks like, your home, your values, and anything else that helps a birth mother picture her child growing up with you.

What level of openness should I expect?

Most adoptions at A Bond of Love are at least semi-open, meaning an in-person meeting happens but no identifying information is exchanged, and updates, photos, and letters are sent through the agency for up to eighteen years. A fully open adoption, with direct contact and visitation, is optional and only offered to families who are fully comfortable with that level of contact and are matched with a birth mother requesting it.

Interstate Adoption (ICPC)

What if I live outside Florida but I’m adopting a baby born in Florida?

A Bond of Love handles the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) and coordinates legal services to ensure continuity throughout an interstate adoption. This also applies to Florida families adopting a child in another state.

What is ICPC, and why does it matter?

It’s the legal framework that governs placing a child across state lines, ensuring the placement meets both states’ requirements before the child can be taken to the adoptive family’s home state.

Will I still need a home study if I live out of state?

Yes. Your home study and post-placement visits will need to be completed by a licensed agency in your own state, even though A Bond of Love handles matching, counseling, and the ICPC and legal coordination.

After Placement

When is the adoption finalized?

The adoptive family may receive temporary custody once legal documents are signed, with finalization occurring in court, typically a few months later.

What kind of post-placement support do you offer?

Post-placement visits are part of the process for Florida-based families, and our support continues beyond that. We can also connect you with organizations like Bridge A Life and Families Rising for ongoing training and support as adoptive or foster parents.

Are there other resources for adoptive parents after placement?

Yes, including Healthy Start Florida, Florida’s Early Steps program for early intervention services, and the National Council For Adoption for continuing education and policy resources. If you or your child ever want to explore search and reunion, Florida’s Adoption Reunion Registry (FARR), established in 1982 and operated by the Department of Children and Families, provides a process for adult adoptees and birth relatives to exchange non-identifying information and possible contact.

About A Bond of Love

Agency Background

How long has A Bond of Love been in business?

Since 1992. We’ve been offering compassionate legal and social services to both birth parents and adoptive parents in Florida for over three decades.

Is A Bond of Love a licensed agency?

Yes. We are licensed and operating in Florida, with offices serving Sarasota and Tallahassee, and we’re listed as a member of the Florida Adoption Council.

Are you a nonprofit?

Yes. A Bond of Love is a trusted, non-profit domestic adoption agency.

What recognition has A Bond of Love received?

We were honored with the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute’s Angels in Adoption Award in 2005, recognizing our commitment to bringing joy and hope to adoptees and foster children.

What areas do you serve?

We’re based in Sarasota, with a second office in Tallahassee serving the Panhandle, and we offer remote services to families across the United States, not only Florida. Our Sarasota office serves the wider region including Bradenton, South Bradenton, Palmetto, North Port, Englewood, and Venice, among other nearby communities.

Why Choose A Bond of Love

What makes A Bond of Love different from a larger adoption agency?

A Bond of Love was founded specifically because flexibility was missing elsewhere in the adoption process, particularly the ability for birth parents to shape their own plan around openness, placement, and ongoing contact. Families who’ve chosen us over larger agencies often point to the more personal, individualized attention that comes with a smaller organization, rather than a more corporate process.

Do you work with women of all ages?

Yes. We’ve worked with expectant mothers as young as 11 and as old as 45, and every situation is met on its own terms, without judgment.

How can I reach someone right now?

Call or text Angie any time at (941) 376-2009, call our Sarasota office at (941) 957-0064, or use our Contact Us page. This conversation doesn’t commit you to anything.