The Adoption Process

We understand the idea of adoption can feel overwhelming. That's why we've created this step-by-step outline to help you understand the process in its entirety.

But don't worry, we'll be there with you every step of the way.

If you have any immediate questions, feel free to reach out to us here.

Baby Step: Read Our Frequently Asked Questions

  • Federal Adoption Tax Credits and a State of Ohio Adoption Grant are available to offset expenses incurred by adoptive families in Ohio. Click here to read about the Federal  income limits. The total cost for a domestic infant, in-state adoption can vary depending on circumstances. Some examples of circumstances that can vary include: a targeted adoption, whether or not an expectant mother qualifies for health insurance or Medicaid coverage, and/or a household that qualifies for the sliding fee schedule. For families with total household income of $65,000 and below, a sliding fee schedule will apply, reducing your fees by 2.5-5%. Please note: the fees associated with each step are due at the time of service and must be paid prior to advancing to the next subsequent step.

    There are 2 types of adoption: 

    1. Public Adoption from Foster Care: Adoption services are covered by taxpayer dollars.

    2. Private Adoption: All services and support to biological parents and adoptive families are made possible through the generous support of donors, grants, and fees paid by adoptive families. Note: Spirit of Faith Adoptions is a privately licensed adoption agency.

  • Over the past 5 years, families have waited between 1-50 months for their family to grow through adoption. 

    It takes an adoptive family 4-9 months to complete their home study. After the home study has been completed, the biological parents review families’ profiles and request to meet 1 or more families. Then, the biological parents may want to move forward with adoption and request to become matched with one specific hopeful adoptive family. Many biological parents start the adoption planning process around 16-20 weeks pregnant.

  • We don’t want families waiting too long. We monitor the total number of Pre-Adoptive Infant Foster Homes on a regular basis so that we can meet the needs of every expectant parent who wants our help. 

  • Yes. We fully support parents’ dreams to grow their families through adoption, and God has a perfect plan for each family! All we ask is to keep us updated on your status.

Step 1: Complete Our Forms + Register for Our Free Zoom Seminar

Initial Inquiry Form: Help us get to know you by sharing some information about your story and family. Once you complete this, our team will reach out to you within 7 days. Note: At this time, the Initial Inquiry form is temporarily closed and will reopen on January 12, 2026. We invite you to check back then to begin the next step of your journey. In the meantime, you are welcome to register for and attend Intro to SOFA: Voices of Adoption, where you can learn more about our mission, approach, and the adoption process.

Christian Covenant Form: At SOFA, we’re dedicated to placing children in loving Christian homes. This Christian Covenant guides us in keeping that promise.

Review and Sign Here

Free Zoom Seminar: Experience the heart of adoption in our free 1-hour Zoom seminar, "Introduction to Spirit of Faith Adoptions: Voices of Adoption." You’ll hear personal stories from both a birth mother and an adoptive family whom SOFA was honored to walk alongside.

Register Here

NOTE: No additional action is needed until our team has contacted you. In the meantime, you’re welcome to review the steps below to see what’s ahead.

Step 2: Complete the Ohio Application for Child Placement + Make First Fee Payment

An Ohio Adoption Application Form will be provided to all families accepted into the SOFA program. The first adoption fee payment will be due at the time this adoption application is submitted to SOFA.

Step 3: Complete the Preplacement Training + Home Study

During our Preplacement Training, our staff will walk families through detailed instructions regarding homestudy paperwork to help complete your file.

Once all of the paperwork has been submitted, an adoption assessor will complete your preadoptive infant home study assessment with you, which consists of a few meetings and a tour of your home.

When this step has been completed, your family will receive written notification of your status. 

Step 4: Activation into SOFA's Matching Program

To activate your profile within our SOFA Matching Program, families will create profile photo books on shutterfly.com. These will be used to introduce families to expectant parents.

Step 5: Family Matching

Spirit of Faith Adoptions will facilitate all aspects of the adoptive planning and placement of the child with his/her family, at the expectant parents' request, a minimum of 72 hours following the child's birth.

Our staff will be available to guide both expectant parents and pre-adoptive infant foster families throughout this emotional time and beyond. SOFA has clinically-trained counselors and social workers (we call them coordinators) to provide expectant parents with weekly support as they explore adoption. When it's time for the baby to be born, we will be in regular phone and in-person communication with you, with the child's biological parent(s), and with the hospital staff.

Step 6: Adoptive Placement

When it's time for the baby to be born, we will be in regular phone and in-person communication with you, with the child's biological parent(s), and with the hospital staff.

After the child is born and the 72 hour window has elapsed, Spirit of Faith Adoptions' staff will facilitate the surrender by the biological parents followed by the placement with the adoptive family.

Step 7: Home Visits After Placement

As required by Ohio law, a Spirit of Faith Adoptions' assessor will visit the family's home regularly after the placement of a child occurs. This begins within the first seven days after the child joins your family and will continue monthly until the adoption is finalized in a court of law in Ohio, which is at least six months of your child's placement

Step 8: Maintain Your PreAdoptive Infant Foster Care License

Approved Ohio home studies must be maintained until your child's adoption is finalized which is 6-7 months after placement. One home visit with an adoption assessor is required every two years.  Spirit of Faith Adoptions will notify families when a visit is needed.

Additional Steps: Complete Trainings

Pre-adoptive infant foster families will need to complete (24) hours of training within 2 years from the date your home study is approved. These training hours are required to continue to maintain your license. 

We have designed our trainings to be encouraging, fun, and helpful for parents! The training team is comprised of a birth parent, adoptive parents, foster parents, adult adoptees, counselors, and social workers who have personal and professional adoption experiences to share with you.  

These trainings are open to Ohio Licensed Foster Parents from any Ohio foster care agency. SOFA reimburses each parent $15/hour to attend and participate.