ADOPTION IN
Alaska
Domestic Infant Adoptions can be completed through private agencies throughout Alaska. They can help hopeful adoptive parents adopt domestically. A third route parents can utilize is a private adoption attorney. Click here to connect with an adoption professional.
International Adoptions must be completed through a private agencies throughout Alaska. They can help hopeful adoptive parents adopt internationally. A third route parents can utilize is a private adoption attorney. You can learn more about international adoption here.
Foster Care Adoptions in Alaska can be completed through the Office of Children’s Services. Contact Alaska Center for Resource Families (800-478-7307) for more information about how to adopt.
Gallery of children waiting to be adopted.
Join the Alaska adoption group in our community!
The information contained on this website is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional legal advice. Always seek the advice of a licensed and qualified professional. While the content of this website is frequently updated, information changes rapidly and therefore, some information may be out of date, and/or contain inaccuracies, omissions or typographical errors.
I'm considering placing my baby or child for adoption.
Pregnant and have questions? We can help answer your questions by telling us what works best for you.
Are you pregnant and considering adoption? Do you need help getting started?
Click here and help us understand what your needs are and the preferences you have. We can help you get started.
Can I Adopt in Alaska?
Hopeful adoptive parents must be at least 18 in order to adopt, 21 in order to become a foster parent. Parents can be single, married, or divorced. While there is no income requirement, parents need to have enough income to provide stability for the family. Parents can own a home or rent, as long as they pass a home study. Adults in the home 18 or older will have to pass a background check.
Photolisting See All
Waiting children, foster, US & International.
What Adoption Regulations Exist in Alaska?
Advertising: No laws prohibit the use of advertising or adoption facilitators in Alaska.
Relinquishment: Required consent to the adoption can be given any time after the birth of the child. Parents can revoke consent before the final adoption decree, up to 10 days after giving consent. After this period 10 day period, consent can only be revoked by a court order finding the withdrawal to be in the best interest of the child.
Birth Parent Expenses: Adoptive parents may pay expenses to cover the birth of the child, medical or hospital care during the prenatal phase, and any other service in connection with the adoption.
Post-adoption Contact Agreements: While birth parents may enter into a voluntary agreement with adoptive parents establishing the amount of contact after finalization, these agreements are not legally enforceable in Alaska.
Finalization: While no specific post-placement requirements exist, adoptions in the year 2014 took on average 9 months between termination of parental rights and adoption finalization.
Is Adoption Assistance Available in Alaska?
Many of the children waiting to be adopted in Alaska have special needs. Federal (Title IV-E) and state (non-IV-E) programs exist to help adoptive parents meet their child’s needs. In Alaska, payments range from $25-53 per day. A special rate for children with extraordinary needs is available. For more information contact NACAC.org.
Can I adopt a Child from another country?
Yes. In Alaska, parents can adopt a child from a different country, and the courts in Alaska will recognize the adoption as though the decree was issued by a court in Alaska.
State Contacts
Gallery of children waiting to be adopted: https://adoption.com/photolisting?page=1&range=UnitedStates&search_type=region
State subsidy contact person:
Yvonne Hill
Adoption Program Coordinator
Resource Family Section
State of Alaska Office of Children’s Services (OCS)
Dept. of Health & Social Services (DHHS)
P.O. Box 110630
Juneau, AK 99811
907-465-3209 • fax: 907-465-2061
Summary
Adoptions in Alaska can be completed through the Office of Children’s Services.
Parents must be at least 18 to adopt, 21 to foster. Parents can be single, married, or divorced. Parents need to have enough income to provide stability for the family. Applicants must complete a hume study.
Consent to the adoption can be given any time after the birth of the child. Parents can revoke consent up to 10 days after giving consent. After this period 10 day period, consent can only be revoked by a court order finding the withdrawal to be in the best interest of the child.
The following expenses are permitted: birth, medical, hospital care during the prenatal phase, and any other service in connection with the adoption.
Contact agreements are not legally enforceable. The average time between TPR and adoption finalization in 2014 was 9 months.
