Utah Adoption Agencies Compared: How to Choose the Right One for You
By A Act of Love Adoptions
Utah is home to several licensed private child-placing adoption agencies, each with its own approach, faith orientation, and service scope. Whether you're a birth mother considering adoption or a hopeful adoptive family exploring options, how you choose an agency matters.
Start with Licensure
Every Utah-licensed agency must be verified through the Utah Office of Licensing. You can look up any agency's license status at dlbc.utah.gov. A current license is a baseline, not a substitute for the rest of this checklist.
The 5-Question Checklist
- Is the agency state-licensed in Utah and non-profit?
- How long has it been in business?
- Does it serve both birth mothers and adoptive families?
- What's the agency's review history?
- Can you speak with real staff before committing?
Non-Profit Status
Under H.B. 51 (2026), all Utah-licensed private child-placing agencies must be registered non-profits by January 1, 2027. Non-profit status isn't a guarantee of quality, but it is a mission-alignment signal worth verifying.
Service Scope
Full-service agencies handle counseling, matching, home studies, legal coordination, medical coordination, and post-placement support. Matching-only agencies handle introductions but leave other work to outside providers. Both models exist, choose the one that fits your needs.
Faith Orientation
Some Utah agencies are faith-based (Christian, LDS). Others, like A Act of Love, are non-denominational. Faith orientation is a personal preference; the law requires equal treatment regardless.
Review History
Look for verified third-party reviews. A Act of Love has 129 reviews averaging 4.8 stars. Reviews should be consistent with the agency's claims and span years, not just a recent handful.
What to Watch For
- ●Any agency promising financial incentives (illegal in Utah under H.B. 51)
- ●No verifiable Utah license
- ●No counseling for birth mothers
- ●High-pressure sales tactics
- ●No post-placement support
Final Word
The best agency for you is the one where you feel heard, supported, and respected. Call a few. Ask questions. Trust your gut.
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