Choice Adoption

In this case, you wouldn't have to go through an agency and be put on a list, you would be doing a parental placement adoption. However, you would need to go thorugh an attorney, because there are certain legal requirements and paperwork that must be taken care of, even in a private adoption like the one you are speaking of. And the laws vary from state to state as well, so you would need to be sure and find an attorney well versed in adoption law. Your name would not be put on the birth certificate until you finalized the adoption, which in most states, is normally a minimum of six months from the date you are entrusted with the baby. The courts normally require a homestudy be done as well. In the case of an agency adoption, you normally have to have an approved homestudy before you are approved to adopt. In the case of a private adoption, you will probably have to have the homestudy done sometime prior to finalization, but not necessarily before you are entrusted with the baby. Again, here is where the attorney can help guide you and make sure all the laws of your state are being followed. Best wishes,