What is required to become an Adoptive Parent?
There are several steps we have outlined for our Adoptive Families. The initial step involves being approved by Lifetree. In order to become a client of Lifetree’s, we require you to complete Lifetree’s application and return it to Lifetree along with payment of the Application Fee, undergo a Pre-Adoptive Screening Evaluation where we will request you to submit several documents, undergo a Pre-Adoptive Home Screening (typically referred to as a Home Study), and evaluate the results of your criminal background check. The stages of the approval process vary from agency to agency. Our cost is $2,000.

I am single, can I still adopt through your agency?
Yes, you would have to follow the standard process mentioned in the information packets. The waiting time might be longer than 12-18 months.

Will I be able to be involved in the matching process and choose the type of adoption I will be most comfortable with? And will I be able to review the Birthmother’s medical and genetic background before being matched?
Yes, we want the adoption process to be a comfortable one for all parents, so we will encourage you to choose the type of adoption that meets your comfort level. All Adoptive Families are encouraged to take part in the matching process as long as they feel comfortable to do so. This will include describing the type of Birthmother you would like to be matched with, meeting her (and possibly the Birthfather), visiting the hospital, and sending notes with the required pictures which are to be sent to our office when the child is 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 months old as well as once a year for 5 years. You will also be able to review the Health, Social, Educational, and Genetic History Report before choosing to be matched with the potential Birthmother.

If I reject a Birthmother, will I be put at the end of the “list”?
No, Adoptive Families are never put at the end of any list. Lifetree does not match “first come/first serve".  We strive to match Adoptive Families and Birth Parents based on the requests each party has for the other. Most of the time, the Birth Parent(s) get to chose which Adoptive Family is best suited to parent their child.

How long is the wait to adopt a child?
The wait differs from case to case. If the requirements for the Birthmother are reasonable, then the average wait is between 6 to 18 months. More detailed requirements for the Birthmother to meet can mean a longer wait. For instance, if a blonde haired/blue eyed Birthmother with a college education is requested, we will have to wait for a Birthmother fitting that description to come in and sign up with Lifetree. In some cases, the wait is very shorter because there may be fewer families in line who desire a particular background or ethnic group, thus the wait is shorter because there are fewer families to choose from.

Is the Relinquishment of Parental Rights Final? Do I have to worry about the Birth Parent(s) requesting the child back?
Once the Relinquishment of Parental Rights is signed by the Birth Parent(s) then the Relinquishment becomes irrevocable. An affidavit for voluntary relinquishment of parental rights will not be signed any sooner than 48 hours after the birth of the child by the Birthmother and by a man meeting the legal definition of “presumed father.” A man who does not meet the definition of a “presumed father” may sign (before or after the birth of the newborn) an affidavit of waiver of interest in a child.

Typically, the Birthmother signs the Relinquishment on the second day of her stay at the hospital. Following the signing, it is common for the Adoptive Family to take the child home from the hospital.

What if the Birthfather is unknown?
If the Birthfather of the child is unknown and no probable father is known, Lifetree will obtain a certificate from the Bureau of Vital Statistics signed by the registrar stating that a due diligent search has been made of the paternity registry maintained by the Bureau and that a registration has not been found pertaining to the Birthfather of the child in question. This will be filed with the court before a trial on the merits in the suit for termination may be held.

Can a child from Texas be placed out of state?
Yes! Out-of-state Adoptive Families must be approved for adoption by agencies licensed or certified to approve adoptive home studies in the state where they reside. Your home study and the placement of a child in your home must meet the regulations governed by the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services. Texas takes part in the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children. This is an agreement among states to cooperate with each other in the interstate placement of children.

What is your age limit for the adoptive parent(s)? 
We accept Adoptive Families who are up to 55 years old. 

What if I already have children? Can I still adopt?
Yes! Lifetree will work with Adoptive Families who already have children, and who desire to expand their current family.