Frequently Asked Questions

Only you can decide what is best for you and your child. Adoption can be a caring choice if you feel that you are not ready to parent or if you feel that another family could provide your child with the life you envision for your child. We are here to listen, support you, and provide you all the information you need to make an informed decision without any pressure or judgment.

We understand the complexity of emotions you may be experiencing. That’s why we offer free, non-judgmental counseling to help you navigate your feelings and create an adoption plan that works for you. Whether it’s answering questions, exploring options, or providing emotional support, our professional counselors are here for you throughout your pregnancy and beyond. We prioritize your privacy and will always respect your decisions.

We are here to support you every step of the way. We can provide counseling and emotional support as you make important decisions, assistance with prenatal and postnatal care, help applying for Medicaid or health insurance or other needed benefits, and transportation to medical appointments. We can also provide financial assistance with necessary living expenses, such as rent, utilities, and groceries, in compliance with Utah law.

Yes! You can choose the family that feels right for your child. Finding the right family for your baby is deeply personal—and we’re here to help. We keep your preferences and comfort in mind. You’ll have the opportunity to review family profiles and, if you choose, meet with potential adoptive families to find the one that feels like the right fit for you and your baby. We're here to support you throughout this process—at your pace, and on your terms.

Our adoptive families come from a variety of backgrounds, and all go through a thorough screening process to ensure they’re ready to provide a safe, loving, and stable home. This includes background checks, child abuse clearances, and evaluations of their financial, emotional, and physical well-being.

The adoptive family receives non-identifying information regarding your medical and health history, background, personality, and interests. They will be educated on how to answer the child’s questions about you in the future. You may also choose to share other information with the family and if you have an open adoption, you can have ongoing contact which can include sharing updated medical and social information as you wish.

You are your baby’s parent and will have all the rights all parents have until you choose to sign the final adoption paperwork. At the hospital, you have the right to spend as much—or as little—time with your baby as you feel comfortable. You’ll be able to continue to make all medical and care decisions up until the moment you sign.

You and the adoptive family you choose will talk about the kind of relationship you’d like to have after the adoption. Many adoptions today include some level of openness, because research shows it can support a child’s sense of identity and connection. Openness looks different for every family. It might mean exchanging letters and photos through our agency (semi-open), or having a more open relationship that includes directly communicating with adoptive family and meeting in person. There’s no “one-size-fits-all” when it comes to openness, and it’s okay to take your time figuring out what feels right. Our counselors are here to help guide and support you in creating the kind of relationship that feels right for you and your child.

Your options counselor will help you explore all of your options and will support you no matter what decision you make. If you choose to make a plan of adoption for your child, Utah law requires a minimum of 24 hours after the birth of a child before final adoption papers can be signed. Once they are signed, you cannot change your mind and the decision is final. This is why it is important to explore all of your options and to take as much time as you need to think about your decision.

This depends on a few things. If you are married, your legal husband has the rights to the child whether he is the biological father or not. He must be notified. He may or may not give his consent to the adoption, but he has the right to be notified. Every state has different birth father laws and the laws in the state which he resides must be followed.

In Utah, an unmarried expectant mother has the right to privacy and can choose whether or not she discloses the name of the biological father. Children’s Service Society will conduct a Putative Father Search to ensure that if the birth father has claimed paternity, his rights are protected. Children’s Service Society will work with you and ensure that all legal requirements are met throughout your experience. We believe every child has the right to know their invaluable medical and social information from both birth parents so we strive to involve both birth parents in this very important decision. Your counselor can help you discuss all of your options with the father.

According to Utah law (78B-6-102), an unmarried mother has a right to privacy with regard to her pregnancy and an adoption plan, and has no legal obligation to disclose the identity of the biological father before or during an adoption. However, Children’s Service Society feels that it is best practice to include the expectant (birth) father in an adoption plan whenever this is possible. Our options counselors are happy to facilitate counseling with him as well as a birth mother. A birth father’s involvement in an adoption plan not only makes the adoption legally secure, but input on his medical history and his feelings about the child and the adoption is extremely valuable to the adoptive parents, and to the adoptee once they are grown.

If you are an unmarried man and want to have a legal claim in what happens to your unborn child, it is your responsibility to file for paternity for the child with the Utah Department of Health Office of Vital Records. Information and instructions for claiming paternity can be found here. Filing for paternity is not the only step you need to take, however. It is also your legal obligation to demonstrate a timely and full commitment to the responsibility of parenthood, both during the pregnancy and after a child’s birth. This could include such things as paying for medical bills and being a physical and emotional support to the mother during pregnancy. For more complete information about your legal rights, please contact an attorney who specializes in paternity issues or adoption.

For additional information, please visit the Paternity Matters website at http://www.paternitymatters.utah.gov/

Children’s Service Society provides life-long supports for birth parents, including free grief and loss related counseling and access to free support groups. Birth parents can continue to have contact with the adoptive family and child if you have agreed to an open adoption. CSS is here to provide support to both you and the family after the adoption should any issues arise with communication in the open adoption.

We offer free, confidential options counseling to help you explore ALL of your options, including adoption.  Whether you’re considering a private, independent, or agency assisted adoption, we’re here to provide honest, caring guidance - without pressure or judgment. You can reach out to us anytime: 📞 Call or text: 801-707-3601 📧 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.