Domestic Adoption Programs
Whether you’re pregnant and not certain what to do, or you are a family seeking to adopt, Nightlight is here to help you — from considering your decision to walking with you through every step of the process.
Nightlight maintains two Domestic Adoption Programs: one in Southern California, and the other in South Carolina. Although we can work with women and families in any state, families in or near South Carolina should work through our SC domestic adoption program.
The information presented on these web pages is general and applies to both programs. For the specific details of the two programs, please download the program information packets below.
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CA Domestic Adoption Process
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SC Domestic Adoption Program
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Over 2000 children have been placed with couples since 1959 through our domestic adoption program. We encourage you to browse our homestudy-approved families waiting to adopt.
General Questions
Is Nightlight Christian Adoptions a non-profit agency?
Yes, Nightlight is a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency. Fees paid by adoptive parents as well as any fundraising efforts throughout the year cover agency expenses.
Is Nightlight Hague Accredited? State Licensed?
Yes and yes! We are fully Hague accredited by COA. Additionally, Nightlight Christian Adoptions has been licensed by the California State Department of Social Services since 1959 and is also licensed by the state of South Carolina. Nightligt provides Post-Adoption and Birthparent counseling services, as well as Adoption Home Studies in South Carolina and Southern California (counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura).
Does Nightlight assist with out-of-state adoptions?
We can assist you with an Interstate adoption either originating or finalizing in California or South Carolina. You may also engage Nightlight's services for birthmother screening and matching. Please contact our office to discuss the specific details of your situation. Nightlight can also assist out-of-state families in completing an Embryo Adoption or International Adoption.
What is domestic adoption?
Domestic adoption is the permanent, legal transfer of parental rights and responsibilities for control and custody of a child from the birthparents to the adoptive parents within the United States.
Approximately how long does it usually take to adopt domestically?
You can be matched with a birthparent anywhere between a few months to a few years after the completion of your homestudy. It really depends on the criteria an adoptive family has established for a birth family, as well as the criteria the birthparents we are currently working with have established for an adoptive family. On average, most families will wait 1-2 years.
Will Nightlight allow us to pursue a domestic and international adoption simultaneously?
We recognize that sometimes it is difficult to decide what type of adoption you are being called to pursue in building your family. If you feel that you are open to a domestic adoption while pursuing an international adoption, please let us know. While you are in the initial phase of an international adoption, you could be presented to a birthmother. If you are considering this option, you will complete an international adoption homestudy as well as a domestic homestudy. It is a relatively simple process to convert an international homestudy into a domestic homestudy.
What is the adoption process?
Domestic adoption consists of five parts:
- Adoption Homestudy: The homestudy is an evaluation and education process required by the State to determine your preparedness to parent through adoption. A homestudy consists of three components: paperwork, education, and interviews with a social worker.
- Match/Identification of birthparent: Once your homestudy is complete and you have been approved to adopt, your profile will be shown to birthparents. Our social worker will work with both the birthparents and the adopting parents to find the best possible match for everyone involved.
- Relinquishment and Placement: Details are specific to the state in which your child is born. Please refer to the Domestic Adoption Information Packet for either South Carolina or California for details specific to those states.
- Post Placement: Details are specific to the state where you choose to finalize the adoption.
- Finalization. Details are specific to the state where you choose to finalize the adoption.
Can we be undergoing fertility treatments while in the adoption process?
No. To be healthy adoptive parents, you need to have completed all your infertility treatments and given yourself the time necessary to grieve for the biological children you have dreamed of. Only after this important step can you be truly ready to begin the adoption process. Please talk to your social worker if you have any concerns about this requirement.
What if we become pregnant during the adoption process?
If you become pregnant, please let us know immediately. We can put your file on hold if you will be adopting in the next year or so. Of course, if you already are matched with a child and have been emotionally connected to that child, we are not going to stop the adoption. Our goal is that every child be in a fully functional family in which the family has the resources to care for each child. If you do become pregnant and you do not have a referral of a child, please contact us after the birth of your child and we can discuss your adoption plans. We believe it is best if each child enters the family at least one year after the other.
What if we are not Christians?
The Christian in our name explains who we are. We work with families from all religious backgrounds. We need all types of families to meet the various criteria of our birthparents.
If you have any additional questions that were not addressed, please send us a message using our contact form or give us a call. If you live near or in South Carolina, you can call our SC office at (864) 268-0570. Otherwise, call our CA office at (714) 693-5437.
Adoption Services Menu
Nightlight Christian Adoptions is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) adoption agency, licensed by the states of California and South Carolina to provide adoption services, and is Hague Accredited through COA. Nightlight can perform adoption homestudies for residents of South Carolina and Southern California (Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura counties).