Can You Put Your Child Up for Adoption while in the Military?

Are you an expectant mother who is currently enlisted in the military? Are you considering placing your baby up for adoption? If so, you might be asking the question: Can you put your child up for adoption while in the military?  The simple answer is yes, and the good news is that Adoption Choices of Missouri can help. 

If you are currently in the military, there are several steps you can take to place your baby for adoption in the state of Missouri. Some of these steps will be similar to non-military adoptions, but there will also be items specific to your service to consider as well. 

Here are what the steps in your adoption journey may look like. 

Step 1: Contact Our Local Adoption Agency

Every adoption journey begins with becoming more informed and making plans for the future. You can begin this process by contacting Adoption Choices of Missouri and setting up an initial meeting. During this meeting, you will have the chance to ask questions, voice concerns and meet some of our welcoming staff members. You will also receive assistance in filling out any necessary paperwork and will be matched with an adoption caseworker, your guide throughout your adoption journey. 

Step 2: Create an Adoption Plan

Your next step will be to create an adoption plan. In your adoption plan, you can map out some of the important decisions you will face throughout your adoption journey. You can include details about your preferred type of adoption, hospital and birth plans and future communication with your child’s adoptive family. Your adoption caseworker will be there to help you navigate through all of these decisions. 

This step in the adoption process will be a good place to take into account the specific considerations that come with being an active member of the military. One area you might address is any upcoming deployments or chances of moving. The adoption process will be easier to complete if you are able to stay in one place for the duration of your pregnancy. 

Step 3: Select an Adoptive Family 

Choosing an adoptive family for your child can be an emotional process. You will be able to browse our extensive family portfolios in order to select a family that you are interested in. After you choose an adoptive family, you will have the opportunity to speak to them on the phone before meeting them in person. This way, you have plenty of opportunity to see if they are the right fit for you and your child. The decision to move forward with any family is in your hands, but your adoption counselor will be there to provide support. 

Step 4: Prepare for Your Due Date

You will pre-select a hospital and doctor prior to your due date. The details can be outlined in your adoption plan. Before you give birth, you will also need to decide on the amount of contact you’d like to have with your child’s adoptive family on this day. You can choose to have the adoptive family join you at the hospital, invite them into the delivery room or keep any contact to a minimum.

Step 5: Counseling Services and Post-Placement Support

Once you have given birth and granted legal consent, your child’s adoptive family will become their permanent legal guardians. There are many emotions that rise up throughout the adoption journey, as well as in the final stages, and it can be helpful to reach out for support. At Adoption Choices of Missouri, you will have access to counseling services throughout your pregnancy, the adoption process and after your adoption has been finalized. If you have supportive and loving friends and family, it can be helpful to talk through any feelings with them as well. 

Choosing Adoption as a Member of the Military

The answer to whether you can choose to put your child up for adoption while in the military is a definite yes. Being an active member of the military will not stand in the way of beginning your adoption journey. Our adoption staff are happy to help you begin this process and to answer any questions that you have. Our top priority is to make you feel confident in your decisions and comfortable throughout your adoption journey.

Adoption Choices of Missouri serves birth parents statewide and beyond, please call us or text us to learn more! Call us toll free at 877-903-4488 or, in Missouri call or text us at 1-816-527-9800

Meet the Author: Molly Doyle is a native San Franciscan, Molly is an experienced educator and a dedicated writer. She holds her multiple subject teaching credential as well as her Masters of Arts in Teaching. When not teaching children or creating new written pieces, Molly can be found kicking around a soccer ball, going for urban hikes or whipping up a fruit pie. 

She currently lives in Seattle, her first home outside of California.