For Birth Mothers and Families
Private Adoption in Utah: How It Works and When to Use an Attorney
Private (independent) adoption is a direct placement typically facilitated by an attorney, rather than through a full-service licensed agency. Utah permits private adoption under specific legal requirements.
How Utah Private Adoption Works
- ●Birth parents and adoptive family connect directly (often through known relationships or attorneys)
- ●An attorney handles the legal documents and consent process
- ●A state-licensed home study is still required
- ●Post-placement support is typically the family's responsibility to arrange
Private vs Agency Adoption in Utah
Agency adoption (like A Act of Love) is coordinated by a licensed non-profit providing counseling, matching, legal, medical, and post-placement support. Private adoption typically includes only the legal work, leaving counseling and matching to the family and birth parents.
Private adoption can be appropriate when birth and adoptive families already know each other (family or friend placements). For most domestic infant adoptions, an agency provides more comprehensive support.
Cost Comparison
Private adoption is sometimes perceived as cheaper, but once birth mother support, legal fees, and home study are included, costs are often comparable to agency adoption.