A Complete Guide
Adoption Agencies: How to Choose the Right Licensed Agency in the United States
An adoption agency is a licensed non-profit or private organization that coordinates the legal, medical, counseling, and matching work required to place a child with a permanent family. This guide covers what to look for, how to verify licensure, and what typical services and costs look like.
What Is an Adoption Agency?
An adoption agency is a state-licensed organization that coordinates every part of the adoption journey: counseling, matching, home studies, legal, medical, and post-placement support. Agencies differ from attorney-facilitated adoptions (sometimes called private or independent adoptions) and from public foster-to-adopt programs.
Most families working with a licensed agency choose domestic infant adoption, which is the voluntary placement of a newborn by a birth mother who has chosen adoption during pregnancy.
Types
Types of Adoption Agencies in the United States
Licensed Private Agencies
State-licensed, non-profit or for-profit, full-service organizations regulated at the state level. A Act of Love falls in this category.
Public (State) Agencies
State-run agencies that handle foster care and foster-to-adopt placements, distinct from private domestic infant adoption.
Faith-Based Agencies
Religious-affiliated agencies, common across the U.S., serving families with specific faith orientations.
National vs Local
Some agencies are licensed in multiple states; others operate only in one. A national presence does not replace state licensure.
How to Choose
10 Questions to Ask Before Choosing an Adoption Agency
- 01
Is the agency state-licensed?
- 02
How long has the agency been in business?
- 03
Is it non-profit or for-profit?
- 04
Does it serve both birth mothers and adoptive families?
- 05
What support is offered to birth mothers?
- 06
What's the home study process for adoptive families?
- 07
What are the total fees?
- 08
What's the review history?
- 09
How transparent is it about timelines and outcomes?
- 10
Can you speak with real staff before committing?
Red Flags to Avoid
These patterns indicate an agency may not be operating ethically or legally. Any one of them is reason for caution.
- ⚠Promises of financial incentives (illegal in many states; non-compliant in Utah post-H.B. 51)
- ⚠No verifiable state license
- ⚠No counseling for birth mothers
- ⚠High-pressure sales tactics
- ⚠No post-placement support
Our Agency
Why Families Choose A Act of Love
30+ Years
Guiding families since 1993
129 Reviews
4.8-star verified rating
Licensed Non-Profit
Utah-licensed, H.B. 51 compliant
Full-Service
One team, every step
Choosing an Agency? Here's Why Families Choose Us.
You have real choices when picking an adoption agency. Here is the short version of who we are and why birth moms and adoptive families keep coming back. The best way to compare is a free, confidential conversation.
- 4.8★
- Among the top-rated adoption agencies in the U.S., with 129 verified reviews.
- Since 1993
- More than 2,500+ adoptions. Trusted by birth moms and adoptive families for 30+ years.
- By People Who Lived It
- Founded by an adoptive mother. Many on our team are adoptive parents or adoptees themselves.
- Free For Birth Moms
- Independent legal counsel, medical coordination, and counseling before and after placement. At no cost, as allowed by state law.
Common Questions
Adoption Agencies FAQ
What's the difference between an adoption agency and an adoption attorney?+
An adoption agency is a licensed non-profit or private organization that provides full-service adoption support. An adoption attorney handles legal aspects but typically does not provide counseling, matching, or home study services.
How do I verify an adoption agency is licensed?+
Contact your state's office of licensing or child welfare department. In Utah, the office is dlbc.utah.gov. Licensure is state-specific, a license in one state does not mean licensure in another.
Are there free adoption agencies?+
For birth mothers, licensed adoption agencies in the U.S. are free, all services are provided at no cost, as allowed by state law. For adoptive families, fees apply and vary.
What's a non-profit adoption agency?+
A tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. Utah's H.B. 51 (2026) requires all Utah-licensed adoption agencies to be registered non-profits by January 1, 2027.
What's the best adoption agency?+
The best agency depends on your state, needs (birth mother or adoptive family focus), preferences, and budget. Use the 10-point checklist to evaluate.
Do adoption agencies work with out-of-state birth mothers?+
Yes, through the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC). Out-of-state birth mothers can work with licensed agencies in other states.
What's the difference between agency adoption and private adoption?+
Agency adoption is coordinated by a licensed organization providing full services. Private adoption typically refers to attorney-facilitated direct placement, without an agency's full-service support.