Adoption Qualifications for Adoptive Parents

WANT TO ADOPT? / ADOPTION QUALIFICATIONS

	Prospective adoptive parents should be married for at least two years and have no more than two previous marriages per spouse. Prospective adoptive parents married less than two years may be considered if they have had a long term relationship prior to marriage.
	Prospective adoptive parents must indicate their intentions to raise their children with religious and moral values.
	Prospective adoptive parents without children or with children older than the age of five will be required to attend newborn child care classes and submit a statement of attendance from the instructor.
	Prospective adoptive parents must have current certification in infant and child CPR.
	Gift of Life Adoptions believes that smoking in the home is a threat to the health of the child. With this in mind, we encourage non-smoking in areas where the child could be affected.
	Many birth parents request updates about their child to assist with the grieving process and to help reassure their placement decision. Therefore, adoptive parents are required to provide Gift of Life Adoptions with non-identifying letters and quality photographs of the child once a month for the first three months after placement. After the first three months, pictures and letters are required to be sent at six months and then at the twelfth month. Beyond the first year, pictures and letters are required around the child’s birthday for twelve years, and then with the adoptive parent's permission until age eighteen.
	If both parents plan to continue working, a six-week leave after placement is encouraged to take care of the child. This responsibility may be taken by one parent or shared by both.
	The adoptive parents must agree to make themselves available for monthly post placement supervision visits of the child until their adoption is finalized.
	Any past criminal history must be disclosed in the Pre-Application. Failure to do so may result in denial of approval or placement of a child.
	Prospective adoptive parents must be heterosexual pursuant to Florida Law.
	Adoptive parents having any previous history of mental health, drug and/or alcohol treatment, or criminal history will be required to provide Gift of Life Adoptions with the necessary treatment records and/or criminal records. Additional evaluations may be required by Gift of Life Adoptions.