Adoption in South Carolina
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South Carolina adoption offers many options to families. You may adopt an infant or older child through an international adoption, an infant through domestic adoption, or an older child or special needs child through domestic foster care adoption. All adoptions require a home study.
South Carolina Adoption Home Study
A home study is required to help match you with the child that would be the best fit in your family, along with financial checks, and personal evaluations. Every adult in the house will undergo a criminal background check, fingerprinting and check of the Central Registry of Abuse and Neglect for all household members 18 years and older.
You can expect to be asked very personal questions about parenting style, your life growing up, family relationships, your marriage (if applicable) along with a check of your home for safety and size requirements.
South Carolina Infant Adoption
If you are interested in domestic infant adoption, or are a birth parent who would like to make an adoption plan, you can do so through a licensed adoption agency, or through an adoption attorney. Be sure that any attorney that you choose has experience in adoptions in South Carolina.
If you are a birthparent who is planning to place your child for adoption, contact an adoption attorney or an adoption agency to make an adoption plan. It is their job to look out for the best interest of you and your child.
If you feel you are unable to care for your child, but are unable to make an adoption plan, South Carolina has a Safe Haven law. This law allows to you take your infant (up to 30 days old) to a hospital.
South Carolina Older Child Or Special Needs Adoption
Older child, or special needs adoption, is available in South Carolina. These adoptions are facilitated through South Carolina Department of Social Services. The children available for adoption are currently in foster care.
For the purpose of adoption, South Carolina defines a special needs child as:
Children who are members of a sibling group
Children of mixed racial heritage
Children aged six or older
Children with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities.
Potential adoptive parents are required to take 14 hours of pre-adoption education class to help educate yourself about the types of things you might encounter in special needs adoption.
International Adoption In South Carolina
There are many countries to adopt from and each company has its own regulations. Some countries will limit the age of the people that may adopt, and others have different lengths of time that you must remain in the country after you have taken custody of the child. Each country also has different regulations on the age of child that they will allow to be adopted. It is extremely important that you work with an adoption agency that is familiar with the laws of each country and is licensed in South Carolina.
South Carolina Adoption Registry
If you are an adult who was adopted in South Carolina, or a parent who placed a child for adoption in South Carolina, and are interested in a reunion, you may register with the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. If a match is found both parties will receive contact information along with sources for counseling.
