Embryo Donation and
Embryo Adoption
About Embryo Donation and Adoption
When couples use in vitro fertilization (IVF) to build their family, they often have embryos remaining after they have completed their family-building journey. These embryos represent a unique opportunity to help another individual or couple experience the joy of parenthood. One option available is embryo adoption, a process that allows families to place their remaining embryos with carefully screened adoptive families who are hoping to grow their family.
Embryo adoption offers a meaningful path for both donors and recipients. Donor families can make a thoughtful decision about the future of their remaining embryos, while adoptive families can pursue pregnancy and childbirth using donated embryos.
Alaska Adoption Services works closely with both embryo donors and adoptive families throughout the entire process. We provide education, guidance, matching services, and ongoing support to help ensure a positive experience for everyone involved. Our team assists families in understanding their options, navigating eligibility requirements, completing the necessary paperwork, and establishing an adoption plan that reflects their wishes.
Whether you are considering donating your remaining embryos or hoping to grow your family through embryo adoption, we are here to provide compassionate support every step of the way. Learn more about our eligibility criteria, matching process, and available services below.
I’m Interested in Donating My Embryos
I’m Interested in Adopting an Embryo
Embryo Donation
Learn about eligibility criteria and the process for donating your embryos through Alaska Adoption Services.
SPEAK WITH A REPRESENTATIVE
Eligibility
Donor family is complete - no intent to use remaining embryos for family building
Embryo donors (father/mother) are psychologically prepared to donate
Two or more viable Day 5 or 6 embryos: full/expanded vitrified blastocysts, mosaic and aneuploid excluded (we’ll find this out for you!)
Embryo donors are willing to provide details of their medical and genetic history including, infectious disease testing and three generations of health history
Donors are willing to have an open relationship with the chosen adoptive family
Process
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Call our main office (907-302-6332) or submit an inquiry on our website to schedule your orientation. Orientations can take place over the phone or online video conferencing. We will provide you basic information about embryo donation during this appointment.
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Once you have decided to use Alaska Adoption Services to donate your embryos, you will gain access to our online portal to complete the application and to upload required documents.
*Alaska Adoption Services will create a private profile for your family based on the information you provide that will only be available to the adoptive family you choose.
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Alaska Adoption Services prepares and educates prospective adoptive parents for embryo adoption. Our adoptive families vary in demographic, locations in Alaska, hobbies, values, religion, and family size. These families have been thoroughly vetted by our staff to ensure they are safe, healthy, and financially sound to parent. Embryo donors will always choose the prospective adoptive family for their embryos.
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Once you have chosen an adoptive family from our waiting pool, you may choose to meet them over the phone, video conferencing, or in person. In this process, you will have the opportunity to ask the family questions and for them to ask you questions in return. This meeting is casual and used as a time to get to know one another.
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You will work with AAS to customize a legal contract for the embryo adoption. This contract will be approved by you and the adoptive family. AAS encourages both parties to consult with legal counsel prior to signing the contract.
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We will communicate with your clinic to complete required documents and transfer the embryos to the adoptive family’s chosen clinic.
Embryo Adoption
Learn about eligibility criteria and the process for adopting an embryo through Alaska Adoption Services.
SPEAK WITH A REPRESENTATIVE
Eligibility
Applicants must live in Alaska
Applicants must be 21 years or older
Biological or adoptive children in the home are over one year old
All pending adoptions are finalized
Applicants need proof of adequate housing and income to support a child
Good health and life expectancy as noted by a physician
Applicants must complete a home study
Process
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Call our main office (907-302-6332) or submit an inquiry on our website to schedule your orientation. Orientations can take place over the phone or online video conferencing. We will provide you basic information about embryo adoption during this appointment.
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All our families are expected to read the book Three Makes Baby and complete the workbook. This can happen at any time prior to the completion of the home study.
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Once you feel comfortable with us and decide to pursue your embryo adoption through our agency, we will provide you with access to our online portal to complete your application, including completing a thorough background check with fingerprinting.
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A home study is a very thorough assessment of your home and family that includes the history of all members of the household, fingerprinting and background checks, a financial history for your family, mental health and physical health history and an assessment of the family’s readiness for embryo adoption. The home study process generally takes two to three months to complete.
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We will help you create a family profile that highlights the special and unique things about you and your family. Your profile will include photos, why you are ready to adopt embryos, and unique facts about your family to help birth families feel a connection with you.
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Donor families will choose the prospective adoptive family they wish to donate their embryos to. AAS works with donor families to ensure they are emotionally prepared to donate their embryos through the program and gather all necessary medical documents prior to matching.
Once a match is made, AAS will facilitate a meet and greet for the families to get to know one another. You may choose to meet them over the phone, video conferencing, or in person. In this process, you will have the opportunity to ask the family questions and for them to ask you questions in return.
Some questions you might like to ask the donor family include:
Why did you choose us to adopt your embryo?
• What kind of contact would you like to have?
• What are your values, hobbies, interests?
• Are there any health concerns in the family to be aware of?
Some questions you might be asked by the donating family include:
• What is motivating you to adopt embryos?
• What kind of contact are you open to in the future?
• What are you values, hobbies, interests
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You will work with AAS to customize a legal contract for the adoption. This contract will be approved by you and the donor. AAS encourages both parties to consult with legal counsel prior to signing the contract.
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We will communicate with your chosen medical clinic to understand their requirements and shipping protocols. We will arrange and pay for the shipment of your embryos to the clinic of your choice.
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You will work directly with your medical provider to schedule the implantation of your embryos. We will be here to support you throughout your pregnancy journey.
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We ask our adoptive families to inform the agency whether their procedure was successful or not, and approximate due date. Once baby is born, we will send a self-report follow-up form to be completed and sent back to the agency.
Why Choose Alaska Adoption Services?
We are a small Alaskan-based nonprofit agency dedicated to offering a personal experience to our clients. Our commitment is to ensure that ethical, transparent, and approachable practices are at the core of all our adoption programs. We understand the importance of open relationships in adoption and value cultural continuity. As the sole licensed adoption agency in the state of Alaska, we are proud to offer high-quality adoption, embryo donation, and embryo adoption services with a personalized touch to meet the unique needs of each family we serve.