[jaydensmommy]

What you need will depend on the state and county you live in. Our county attorney handles "simple" (non-contested) adoptions for no fee. They drew up the papers (county attorney's office). The birthparents signed their papers in front of a notary and we met with the county attorney at the courthouse. The only fees we paid for were the home study fees and the fees for fingerprinting and that's it. I think our county is the simplest though with regard to adoption. Many states are much more complicated.

Counseling is essential, I believe. If I had to do it over again I would have insisted on it. One of the birthparents finally went to counseling, one didn't.

I think the first thing is to contact an adoption attorney in your area and see what's required for a private adoption. That's how we found our info was from speaking to a few attorneys over the phone.

Good luck.