[GATI]

Hi all,
We are just getting started with an open private agency transracial adoption and are looking for the right agency.

We are in Utah and I am concerned about the limitations on birthfather rights here. We want our birthparents to have the best possible experience with the process as possible.

Does anyone have recommendations for an agency in Utah that is really good? Can I look at agencies in other states even if they are not licensed in this state? We have strong ties to both Washington and California, so would those be possibilities despite our Utah residency and their not being licensed in Utah?

Thanks in advance for your PMs!

[eagleswings216]

As far as I know, you can use an agency out of state, but they have to be licensed to place in your state (Utah). I'm assuming there are some out there, but we actually used an agency in Utah even though we lived in Virginia. We were happy with them overall, and I happy to PM you their name if you want.

I understand your concern about the birthfather rights. If you don't want to use an agency out of state (or can't find one), you could use an agency in Utah, but make sure they understand that you are only interested in situations where the birthfather is aware of the adoption and plans to sign consent. There are some agencies who bring in birthmothers to Utah from other states so that they can use their laws and cut the birthfather out of the process. I think those situations are very unethical. Any agency you work with, I would suggest asking them their policy on this and also make clear to them that you are looking for a situation where both birthparents are involved in the process.

[GATI]

Thank you for that information. I would appreciate a PM with the name of the agency you used. I am heartened that we can request situations with the father's consent.

Congratulations on your successful adoption

[Mama2BSoon]

Also, keep in mind that it is not uncommon for the birth father to be unknown. We were aware of several situations where the birth father is not known by the emom (they didn't have a relationship or were not close enough to maintain contact).

It's worth asking details as we found each situation was different from the next. Good luck!

[Dickons]

What eaglewings said is very important.

Remember to that YOU are the paying client and they must respect your choices. Take what eaglewings said and for any potential matches ask if they brought the expectant mother to Utah - that is a huge red flag especially if they claim the father is not in the picture.

Bravo to you for looking at the ethics.

Kind regards,
Dickons

[nicuRN]

I am from Texas and recently thought about adoption in Utah until I started reading about bringing the birth mothers there and even going to the birth mothers in other states but using Utah laws....that all sounds too fishy for me and honestly I don't want to be involved in that. That being said I would still consider each situation as I'm sure there are normal ethical adoptions going on in most situations.

eagleswings would you mind sending me a PM with the name of the agency you used? I'd be interested to know if it happens to be the one I had picked out.

Thanks!