Adoption Process and Eligibility

Domestic Infant Adoptions
Orientation sessions for Domestic Adoptions are held on the third Monday of each month from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the LSG Atlanta office: 1330 West Peachtree St. Suite 300.  Reservations required;
call 404-591-7068. Our program includes open and responsible communication and information sharing between birth and adoptive parents.

Domestic Special Needs (Heritage) Adoption
Lutheran Services of Georgia is working with the Georgia Department of Human Resources to place children in need of permanent homes who are presently in the state foster care system.  This type of adoption is at no cost to the adoptive parents and is paid for by a contract with DHR.  LSG is a home study agency that works to provide information, training and the home study services that are required by the state Office of Regulatory Services and the DFCS Office of Adoption. 

Definition of Heritage Children

• African American children, ages one and older

• Any child over the age of eight

• Children with siblings who need to be placed together

• Children who have physical, emotional or mental needs and challenges

Heritage Pre-adoption Process
Phase I
Orientations are given for prospective parents to hear about the Heritage Adoption program—the process and requirements and to share with LSG their hopes and dreams of adopting a child or sibling group.

PHASE II
Prospective adoptive parents and waiting children find each other through one of the many recruitment efforts that are underway and spearheaded by both public and private agencies across the state.  Some of these are the My Turn Now Book, Fox5 Wednesday’s Child Program, Video Conferences and Paper Match Meetings.  Once identified for a child and subsequently selected, parents and children meet, visit and get to know each other, and begin their life as a family.

PHASE III
After a child is placed in his or her adoptive home, adoptive families receive assistance ranging from individual counseling, continuing education to support groups that help with adjustment, long term goals and expectations and strengthening the bond of a committed “forever family.”

We would love to tell you more about our program and the dozens of families that have added to their family through the Heritage Adoption program.

Call 404 591-7068 for adoption information.

International Adoption
Orientation: 
We invite you to attend one of our free bi-monthly orientation sessions.  At this meeting we will explain the process of adopting internationally, from how to get started on your home study, selecting an international country according to your own unique criteria and theirs, to applying to USCIS, to applying to your placement agency, to receiving your referral, and finally to the post placement supervision phase. Orientation sessions are held regularly at LSG offices across the state.  For a list of  locations, dates and times, please visit our calendar page. Once you have attended an orientation session we will be happy to supply you with our LSG application – your very first step to starting your home study process!

Eligibility:  
Our parents can be either male or female, married for at least two years or single, 25 years of age or older, with or without children.  Parents must be financially stable and in good health.  At least one parent needs to be a citizen of the United States.

Application Fee:
The application fee of $500 is due and payable when the completed Adoptive Home Study Application and Affidavit and Statement of Understanding are submitted. 

Adoptive Home Study Evaluation Fee:
The Adoptive Home Study Evaluation fee of $1000 is due in the LSG office by the last visit with your social worker and before the home study can be released to USCIS and your placement agency.

Subsequent Adoptive Home Study Evaluation Fee:
For a subsequent LSG adoption, the Home Study Evaluation fee is $500. If the family has a current home study from another licensed agency and there have been no changes in the family composition, LSG will update the home study for a fee of $1,000.  Applicants will follow the same procedures as those applying without a previous home study.

Short Version of Required Home Study Fee:
At times, certain agencies and/or countries require a shorter version or synopsis of the original Home Study (for translation purposes).  A fee of $200 will be charged for a “condensed” version.

Annual Home Study Update Fee:
If there has not been a placement within one year, an Annual Home Study update is required.  A fee of $300 will be charged.

Addendum:
This fee covers any changes that need to be addresses after the home study is approved.  A fee of $100 will be charged.

Conversion Fee:
This fee of $200 covers converting an already approved Home Study, for either changes to countries, or for changing from international to domestic, or vice versa.

Extra Documents:
A fee of $10 will be charged per copy of each document if the family is not using our dossier service.

Dossier Services Fee:
This optional fee of $500 is for families who require the assistance of our Dossier Specialist in preparing the official documents as required by the international country.

Post Placement Services Fee:
The Post Placement Services Fee of $200 per visit, pro-rated and payable at the time of acceptance of your child.

Additional Services:
There are times when adoptive families request additional services (additional preparation, counseling, post adoption counseling, etc.)  These services are available at a rate of $75 per hour.
Fees for services rendered are not refundable.  The only fee for which a refund to the adoptive family may be considered is the post placement services fee in the event that the anticipated services are not rendered for whatever reason.

Referral and Acceptance of a Child:
The length of time until you receive a referral varies depending upon the county you choose and your specific requests.  Your international agency will notify LSG with a potential assignment to you.  Our professional staff will then present the child’s information, photographs and video (if applicable). 
If you decide to accept the child presented to you, the international agency will send an acceptance packet to LSG.  We will submit the packet to USCIS on your behalf along with the appropriate forms.

Post Placement Supervision:
After your child comes home, your social worker will visit you and your family according to a schedule designated by your child’s country of origin.

Cooperating Agencies
Lutheran Adoption Network
The Lutheran Adoption Network (LAN) is a national collaboration of 30 Lutheran social ministry organizations that are active in both international and domestic adoptions and who are members of Lutheran Services in America (LSA).  There are both local or “direct service” agencies and international placement agencies within the network.  All LAN members have a shared reputation for integrity and ethical practices in adoption, as well as extensive history.  Many of our agencies have been in business for over 100 years.  As a faith-based network, we are motivated to serve by finding families for children who wait. A commitment to honesty and professionalism is our hallmark. Currently, we have adoption programs in Bulgaria, China, Colombia, Guatemala, Moldova, Mongolia, Philippines, Poland, Russia and Ukraine.  Together, LAN member agencies place over 1000 children annually into adoptive homes. Lutheran Services of Georgia is an active member of LAN and can assist you with adoption of a child from any of the above-mentioned countries.  Link:   www.lanadopt.org