Can I adopt my friend's baby?

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Lisa W	No, if the birth mother and father are willing to terminate their parental rights (and stay away) you shouldn't have a problem. One thing to beware of is are birth mom and dad really willing to never have anything to do with the child. You just don't want them popping by when you and your fiance/husband have decided on how to raise the child interfering with your decisions. Make sure they realize you two will be the parents and not the babysitter. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Samantha D	it sounds like an exellent oppurtunity but if you really want to go for this just make sure there is a written document between you and ur friend. Just in case if for some odd reason she would want the baby back and you to get in some fight. ( just to be safe) *congrats!! Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Jennifer L	It would be a private adoption. You and your fiance would need to do a homestudy and complete all of the qualifications of any adoptive parent. An adoption attorney or finding an agency that will facilitate the private adoption is recommended to make sure all of the legalities are completed. However, your friend and/or her boyfriend may change their minds after the baby is born. There is nothing that says they have to make this decision before the child is born. Make sure that everyone agrees this is the best thing for everyone. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

sizesmith	You'll have to have a home study, and you'll have to make sure that if you get married before the baby is born, that you don't have a waiting period of a few years before you can adopt. In my state (Arkansas), my fiance and I were told about a baby to adopt, and I'd tried several times, and this seemed real. After quite a bit of research, I found out that we couldn't live together once the baby was born, nor could we get married and then adopt this child, because of a then 3, now 2 year waiting period. I adopted as a single mom, even though our son calls him "Da-Da" (he hasn't even said ma'ma yet). "J" is the best father any child could ask for, and I will never prevent him from seeing our little guy, unless for some reason he became a danger to him (I don't see that happening). Research your laws and statutes, and consult an attorney before announcing your engagement in the paper, or getting married. My prayers are for the baby, and I hope everything works for his/her life. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Demetrius W	yes, but you have to have a clean record. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

fidm club chapter	Not really but there is a long process at which you must go through depending but your the best!! thats really sweet of you!!! Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

tony_le12	I don't know much about laws and restrictions about adopting a child. Problems you may face, when you adopt this child you may have to move far away. If not there will be custody involve. After all she is the mother and she have her right with the child. The child will have hard time with that kind of life also. I wish you both the best of luck. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Gwen H	No if yur friend agrees and yur fiance agrees there should be no problem Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

I got the answers!	I don't know, you may want to ask a lawyer. But I just wanted to tell you that you're an awesome friend and person for doing this at such a young age. Best of luck! Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

keeley910	I dont think there any laws stating you and ur husband couldnt adopt this child as long as u have it confirmed and that ur friend the father of her child agree also. ♥ good luck ♥ Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Amy	if both of the other parents are consenting, there should be no problem whatsoever. be sure to have a lawyer draw up good papers containing info about the future and their contact with the child. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

etmann	I live in KY. There are no laws as far as I know here or any where else that could stop you. As long as you and your fiance are to be married and have a successful career and life planned you should pass inspection completely and be able to adopt your friend's baby. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Yahoo !	I don't think theres law limits on who u can adopt the baby from. I know adopting a baby is currently legal. But i have no facts either about if u can adopt from whoever. Just coomon sense. Also if you haven't already, make sure its okay with ur soon to be husband to have a baby. Anothers words ask him if he wants the baby too. As for the baby, I think so. Try asking a lawer. Maybe u get a better answer on here. If not, ask a lawer. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

upallnight	As long as the natural parents agree, there shouldn't be any problems. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

computerdragon_stl	It's called a private adoption. you all need to see a lawyer and get the details worked out. it is legal. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Hannah B	You are young but if you are ale to provide a stable environment and help to foster a good relationship with the birth parents then you would atnd a good chance. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Camille	Well you should contact an adoption lawyer and see what they have to say. There is no reason why you can't, you just need to figure out all the legal stuff. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

omfg google it	i see no reason why you wouldn't be able to. especially if the parents think that it would be best. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

katieee	i think thats a wonderful thing you are doing best of luck! Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

allwrongthong	It's worth a try Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Whathappened2U	You shouldn't have any problems as long as both the baby's mother and father agree. All of you will have to go to the attorney's office to fill out the required paperwork. It is a fairly simple process since you aren't going through an agency. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Jason B	No but a marriage could help. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Annie	No, there aren't any laws. But this is going to be complicated and everyone involved might consider counseling. Many agencies offer adoption counseling services. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Brian S	you should be all set. they will look @ your criminal backgrounds etc. but most likely they will allow you to do so :) Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Wenn	So..... Why can't THEY keep the baby, again? You neglected to mention. It really matters. I'll edit this with a finished answer once I know, ok? Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Heather B	Some friend. "A dream come true for all parties" Excuse me? you really think it's the dream of any child to lose their mother pppfffft Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Gaia Raain	All the issues you mentioned are temporary. It would not be in this child's best interests to be raised by anyone other than his/her natural family. Why not offer your services as a temporary guardian until she gets on her feet, instead of falsifying the child's birth records to completely exclude his/her entire heritage? Instead of an open adoption (which means nothing, legally), why not try co-parenting? Children can love more than one or two adults, equally. No one needs to be excluded. One last point to consider: how will you feel if your friend gives birth, takes one look at her baby, and decides that all those things don't matter, and that she needs to parent her own child? Please do NOTHING until after the baby is born and she has had the chance to hold her baby and fall in love. This often happens, and you can't predict whether or not your friend will decide to parent. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Robert E	I think so ....... be careful mixing friends and adoption ...... will you always be friends ??? Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

MamaKate	Please explain why you will need to adopt this child? If your friend wants to keep her child and you want to help out, why not do just that? Her current situation is only temporary... Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Kazi	Tread lightly. While there may be no legal reason keeping you from adopting your friend's baby, your friend is at the beginning of her pregnancy and could very well change her mind once she has seen her child. For everyone's peace of mind, I would wait to decide anything until after the baby is born. I believe it could save a world of heartache for everyone (including you). ETA: There are many resources available to help her out if she indeed wishes to keep her baby. I'm not sure where you live, however, a quick web scan can find them out for you. As much as I understand your desire to have a baby, especially with your fertility in question (I'm an adoptive mom), I do assure you that this situation is NOT a dream come true for all involved. Relinquishing a child, no matter how justified your friend may feel right now, is NEVER a reason to celebrate. Again, I STRONGLY suggest that everyone waits until after the baby is born. You have already said you would adopt if she still wanted that... but for now I would encourage her to look into all of the options and resources. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Phoenix	"This is a dream come true for all parties." Not for the child's. The child's dream is to remain with his/her bio parents. Reassure your friend that you'll help out and perhaps will consider adoption BUT don't do anything about it unless the child is born and the mother has the chance to see the child. Although she may think adoption is a good option now, she may change her mind upon seeing her baby. Its happened before. If she does, its better for the baby. If you're still considering adoption, whether its your friend's child or someone else's, research adoption from the child's point of view. The Primal Wound 20 Things Adoptive Kids Wished Their Adoptive Parents Knew Adoption Healing, Joe Soll Coming Home to Self And try to find out what its REALLY like to be adopted. It is NOT a dream come true for the vast majority of adoptees. If you still go through with it, draw up an open adoption contract and have all parties (except the baby, obviously, because the child never gets any options) sign it. It probably isnt legally enforceable, but if you care about the child and the child's family, you'll keep it. Perhaps you could consider legal guardianship of the child instead of adoption. That way, you bring the kid up but they don't lose their roots completely. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No