ADOPTION IN
Montana
Choosing to adopt a child in Montana is a big step in the adoption process. For those facing an unplanned pregnancy in Montana, the Adoption.com team can assist in finding financial support, adoption information, and legal help. If you are hoping to adopt a child into your own family, there are plenty of resources and options on Adoption.com to assist with the process.
Adoption Near Me
Considering Placing Your Baby or Child for Adoption? You can learn more here or call an adoption counselor 1-800-236-7898.
Domestic Infant Adoptions can be completed through a Montana adoption agency or adoption attorney. Click here to connect with an adoption professional.
International Adoptions must be completed through an adoption agency or adoption attorney. You can learn more about international adoption here.
Foster Care Adoptions in Montana can be completed through the Department of Health and Human Services.
Gallery of children waiting to be adopted.
Join the Montana adoption group in our community!
Looking for more resources in your area? Check out the Adoption Directory for a listing of adoption professionals in your state.
I’m considering placing my baby or child for adoption.
Pregnant and have questions? We can help answer your questions by telling us what works best for you.
Are you pregnant and considering adoption? Do you need help getting started?
Click here and help us understand what your needs are and the preferences you have. We can help you get started.
Montana Adoption Guide
Where do I start? When does everything start happening? What do I need to prepare? Who can support me? These are all normal and valid questions for anyone considering adoption.
As an expectant parent, you may be looking for financial support throughout your pregnancy. You may have questions about contact with your child after an adoption takes place. Adoption is not what you see in the movies. Adoption.com can provide as much support as you need to feel confident in whatever decision you make going forward. Adoption isn’t for everyone, but if is the right path for you and your baby, then we are here to answer any questions you have. You can get started by texting or calling us at 1-800-236-7898.
Adoption.com’s specialists are unbiased and your information is completely confidential. There is no obligation to create an adoption plan today.
The information contained on this website is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional legal advice. Always seek the advice of a licensed and qualified professional. While the content of this website is frequently updated, information changes rapidly, and therefore, some information may be out of date, and/or contain inaccuracies, omissions, or typographical errors.
Can I Adopt in Montana?
Applicants must be at least 18 years old or older. You can own or rent a home. Parents can be single, married, or divorced. If married, the couple must live together for 24 months before adopting. Applicants must have a solid source of income to provide for a growing family without the inclusion of adoption subsidies. Parents must provide professional references, pass a criminal background check, complete pre service training, and successfully complete an adoption home study. Their home must also be inspected for safety.
What Adoption Regulations Exist in Montana?
Advertising: Only the department and licensed child placing agencies may advertise in any public medium that a child is available for adoption, that a person is willing to accept an adopted child, or knows of adoptive parents for a child. Only the department and licensed child placing agencies may engage in placement activities. § 42-7-105(1)(a)(b); 52-8-101
Relinquishment: Birth parents must receive adoption counseling and wait at least 72 hours after the birth of their child to give consent. Birth parents and adoptive parents (or any other adoption party) may mutually agree to revoke consent before the termination of parental rights. After termination of parental rights, birth parents cannot revoke consent. § 42-2-408; 42-2-410
Birth parent expenses: Hopeful adoptive parents may pay for the following adoption services for birth parents: medical services, prenatal care, counseling for voluntary relinquishment (not to exceed 10 hours), legal fees, and other adoption related expenses. § 42-7-101(1); 42-7-102(1), (2).
Post-adoption contact agreements: The placing parent and adoptive parent may enter into an agreement establishing the amount of contact between the two parties after adoption finalization. The contact agreement is legally enforceable so long as it is in writing and the court agrees the contact agreement is in the child’s best interest. § 42-5-301
Birth father rights: Unmarried fathers who submit their information to the putative father registry in Montana gain the right to receive notice of adoption proceedings. § 42-2-202; 42-2-203; 42-2-204
Finalization: Out of 230 adoptions completed in 2014, the average time between TPR and adoption finalization was 13.2 months. (acf.hhs.gov)
Is Adoption Assistance Available in Montana?
Many of the children waiting to be adopted in Montana have special needs. Federal (Title IV-E) and state (non-IV-E) programs exist to help adoptive parents meet their child’s needs. In Montana, the maximum daily amount ranges from $18.36-21.94. For more information please visit NACAC.org.
Can I adopt a Child from another country?
It is always possible to adopt a child from another country, even if you live in the United States. Children under 18 adopted from a Hague Convention country entering the U.S. with an IH-3 visa may automatically receive U.S. citizenship.
Children adopted from a non convention country must qualify as orphans before receiving U.S. citizenship. When U.S. citizens finalize an adoption abroad, they must apply to the USCIS for an IR-3 visa for the child. An IR-3 visa classifies the child as an immigrant and provides the child with citizenship upon arrival in the States.
Parents wishing to receive a State birth certificate for their child must submit a validation or readoption of a foreign adoption to a State court.
State Contacts
Gallery of children waiting to be adopted: https://adoption.com/photolisting?page=1&search_type=region&range=UnitedStates
State subsidy contact:
Jania Hatfield
Adoption Negotiations Program Manager
Child & Family Services Division
PO Box 8005
Helena, MT 59604
406-841-2461
Summary
Adoptions in Montana can be completed through the Department of Health and Human Services.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old. You can own or rent. Parents can be single, married, or divorced. You must complete a home study.
Only the department and licensed child placing agencies may advertise that a child is available for adoption, that a person is willing to accept an adopted child, or knows of adoptive parents for a child.
Birth parents must receive adoption counseling and wait at least 72 hours after birth to give consent. After termination of parental rights, birth parents cannot revoke consent.
The contact agreement is legally enforceable so long as it is in writing and the court agrees the contact agreement is in the child’s best interest. A putative father registry does exist.
The average time between TPR and adoption finalization in 2014 was 13.2 months.
