Nightlight’s Georgia Office

Georgia

Eligibility Requirements

Nightlight Christian Adoptions in Athens, Georgia is licensed by the Georgia Department of Social Services to select suitable families for children needing adoption. The selection of adoptive parents is based on their eligibility to meet state and agency requirements, foreign country requirements (if applicable), their capacity for adoptive parenthood, and the availability of children whose needs they can meet. Nightlight’s Georgia office can provide referrals for embryo donation and embryo adoption, as well as international adoption.

RESIDENCE

Nightlight can perform home studies for families living in Georgia.

RELIGION

Applicants must be committed to providing their child with a constructive, wholesome and spiritual home environment.

HEALTH

Adoptive applicants must give evidence of good health, both physical and mental, which will be verified during the application process by medical examinations and psychological evaluations.

MARRIAGE

Adoptive applicants are encouraged to have been married a minimum of two years when the home study begins. We hope this period will provide the couple sufficient time to establish a home, financial security, and to adjust to the marriage as well as to each other. Married applicants must have a satisfying and secure marriage. Single parents are eligible to adopt if they meet the qualifications of a stable home environment, financial security and have a strong support network of family and friends.

EDUCATION

Classes and reading are required of adoptive families pertaining to parenting skills and adoption issues. Our goal is to prepare you to be the best parents possible for your child.

FINANCES

Adopting parents must be able to provide a financially stable home, demonstrated by a solid credit history and ability to live within their means.

AGE

In Georgia, you must be over 25 years old to adopt and at least 10 years older than the child you are adopting. If you are married and living with your spouse, you may adopt if you are under 25.

PREGNANCY

Before you begin the adoption process, you need to complete all your infertility treatments so you can truly be ready to be the best parent for your adopted child. If you become pregnant while in the adoption process, notify our office immediately. We will place your file on hold. When you are ready to consider adoption again – generally at least when your child is nearing their first birthday – call us to discuss re-activating your file.

GEORGIA HOME STUDY GETTING STARTED CHECKLIST

We would love to have the opportunity to meet with you at our office or over the phone to discuss our services. Appointments can be scheduled on an individual basis between the hours of 9am-5pm, Monday through Friday. Call the office at (706)750-9119 for more information and to set up a meeting time.

How do we get started?

  • Read our International Home Study Booklet OR Domestic Home Study Booklet
  • Contact Marissa Lavender to verify eligibility requirements are met and for a link to the online application
  • Begin the Home Study
  • International home study fee is $2100 and the domestic home study fee is $1500.
  • In addition, there is an application fee of $500.  This fee is only paid once, whether you are adopting Internationally, domestically, with Snowflakes, or are just doing a home study.

Once we receive your Application paperwork, we will review your application to assess for approval. If approved, we will send you the home study checklist, which contains the necessary paperwork for completing the home study. After the initial home study paperwork is completed and payment is received, you will be assigned a home study provider.

Please read the enclosed information and FAQs before submitting your application. If you have questions, contact Marissa Lavender by phone at (706) 750-9119 or by e-mail at [email protected].