Questions to Ask an Adoption Agency Before You Move Forward
Choosing the right adoption agency is one of the most important decisions you'll make during this process. And if you're not sure what questions to ask an adoption agency, that's completely okay. Most women in your position have never done this before. Knowing what to ask can help you feel confident, informed, and genuinely in control of what happens next.
Alaska Adoption Services’ article walks you through the questions that matter most, and what good answers should actually sound like.
Why Asking Questions Is So Important
An unplanned pregnancy brings enough uncertainty on its own. The last thing you need is to work with an agency that leaves you guessing. Asking the right questions upfront helps you filter out the agencies that aren't the right fit and find the one that will truly have your back.
A good agency welcomes your questions. In fact, the willingness to answer them openly and honestly says a lot about how that agency will treat you throughout the entire adoption process. If anyone makes you feel rushed, dismissed, or like your questions are an inconvenience, that's a signal worth paying attention to.
You deserve transparency. You deserve patience. And you deserve real answers.
Questions to Ask About the Agency Itself
Starting with the basics helps you understand who you're actually dealing with. Here are the foundational questions to ask any adoption agency before you go further.
Is the agency licensed?
This one is non-negotiable. A licensed adoption agency is held to legal and ethical standards that protect you, your baby, and the adoptive family. Licensing means the agency has been reviewed and approved by the state. It means there's accountability.
In Alaska, we are the only licensed domestic infant adoption agency in the state. That distinction matters, especially if you want to keep your child connected to their Alaskan roots and culture.
How long has the agency been in operation?
Experience counts. An agency that has guided many birth mothers through the adoption process brings knowledge, relationships, and a track record you can look into. Alaska Adoption Services was founded in 2019 by two professionals with decades of combined experience in child welfare and adoption. Our roots run deep even if our doors are relatively new.
Is the agency a nonprofit?
Nonprofit agencies are mission-driven rather than profit-driven. That means decisions are made based on what's best for the people involved, not on a bottom line. We are a licensed 501(c)3 nonprofit, and that shapes everything about how we operate.
Does the agency charge birth mothers any fees?
The answer should always be no. Every service we provide to expectant parents is completely free. You should never have to pay anything to explore your options or to receive support through your adoption plan.
Questions to Ask About Your Rights and the Adoption Process
Understanding your rights before you sign anything is essential. These questions help you know exactly where you stand.
Can I choose the adoptive family?
Yes, and you should be able to. At our agency, you review profiles of waiting families and choose the one that feels right. You are never assigned a family without your input. This is your decision, and we make sure it stays that way.
What kind of adoption do you practice?
This question matters more than many women realize. Some agencies still facilitate closed adoptions, where birth mothers have no contact or information after placement. We practice open adoption exclusively. That means you and the adoptive family know each other. It means ongoing contact through photos, updates, visits, or whatever level of connection feels right for your situation. Open adoption gives your child access to their story, and it gives you peace of mind.
What happens if I change my mind?
Any reputable agency will give you a clear, honest answer to this question. In Alaska, birth parents have 10 days after signing relinquishment paperwork to change their minds. Our team will never pressure you into a decision, and we will support you fully no matter what you choose.
Who advocates for me during this process?
At our agency, every birth mother is assigned a dedicated birth parent advocate. This person is in your corner throughout the entire process, from your first call to well after your baby is placed. Having someone specifically focused on your needs, not the adoptive family's, not the logistics, but yours, makes a real difference.
Questions to Ask About Support and Communication
The adoption process doesn't end at placement. The support you receive before, during, and after is a critical part of how you'll feel about this experience long term.
What kind of emotional support do you offer?
Look for an agency that provides counseling referrals, peer support groups, and check-ins after placement. We offer all of these. Our birth parent advocates follow up with you even after everything is finalized because your wellbeing doesn't have an expiration date.
How will you communicate with me throughout the process?
You deserve to know what's happening and when. Ask how often the agency will check in with you, who your main point of contact will be, and how quickly they respond to calls or messages. Our team communicates in whatever way works best for you, whether that's phone calls, texts, or emails. We show up the way you need us to.
What happens at the hospital?
This is a question many women forget to ask until they're almost there. Your agency should have a clear plan for your hospital experience, including who will be present, how your wishes will be communicated to the medical team, and what happens in the time between delivery and placement. Your hospital experience is part of your adoption plan, and it deserves just as much care and attention as everything else.
Questions to Ask About the Adoptive Families
You're choosing a family for your child. That's enormous. These questions help you understand how thoroughly the agency has vetted the families you'll be considering.
How do you screen adoptive families?
Adoptive families should go through a rigorous home study process before they are ever presented to a birth mother. Home studies include background checks, home visits, interviews, and reference checks. Every family in our program has completed this process and has been carefully reviewed before you ever see their profile.
How many families are actively waiting?
This question tells you a lot about the agency's approach. Some adoption agencies, especially national agencies operate with hundreds of waiting families, which can feel overwhelming and impersonal. We intentionally work with a smaller pool of around 15 active families at a time. That means more attention, more care, and a more personal experience for everyone involved.
View our waiting family here!
Can I meet the family before making a decision?
Yes. Once you've reviewed profiles and found a family you're drawn to, we facilitate a meeting so you can get to know them in person before anything is finalized. Your comfort with that family matters deeply to us.
One More Question Worth Asking Yourself
After speaking with any agency, ask yourself how you felt during that conversation. Did they listen? Did they answer your questions fully? Did they make you feel like a person, not a case file?
Your instincts matter here. An adoption plan is built on trust, and trust starts from the very first phone call.
Ready to Ask Us Your Questions? We're Here for You in Alaska.
Adoption in Alaska is a deeply personal journey, and you deserve an agency that treats it that way. As the only licensed domestic infant adoption agency serving all of Alaska, we are here to answer every question you have, whether you're just exploring your options or ready to take the next step.
There are no wrong questions. There is no pressure. Just honest conversation with a team that genuinely cares about you and your child.
Call us anytime at (907) 302-6332, email us at info@alaskaadoptionservices.org, or reach out through our Alaska Adoption Services website. We're ready when you are.