NEVADA DIVISION OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES
Guide to Adoption in Nevada

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Families interested in the healthy infant program must first be determined eligible for the agency’s inquiry list. Individuals with two or more birth or non-special needs adopted children currently in the home, or who have adult children who resided at home as minors for at least 18 months, are not eligible for the inquiry list.

Those who apply and are found eligible for placement on the inquiry list will receive written confirmation from the agency, and will be contacted periodically during the waiting period to determine if they are still interested in adoption. Further, if any of the following has occurred, your name(s) will be withdrawn from the list:

• You have given birth to a child
• You have adopted a non-special needs child
• You move out of state
• You move and the agency is unable to locate you

The length of time an eligible family will remain on the inquiry list for an infant varies. Once your name reaches the top of the list, you will be contacted by a social worker to begin the investigative process for approval to adopt, known as a home study. Therefore, it is important for the family to keep the agency informed of any address or contact information changes to avoid being withdrawn from the list due to the agency’s inability to find you.

Those eligible families who successfully complete the home study process and are approved to adopt, will be placed on the “approved and waiting list” until a child becomes available. If an adoptive placement does not occur within one year, the family’s home study must be updated to review the following:

• Their continued interest in adoption;
• Any changes in family circumstances, living situation or health; and/or
• Any changes that may affect their continued eligibility to adopt

If the updated study identifies any areas of concern that would result in denial of an adoptive placement, the individual(s) name will be removed from the waiting list.

Once a baby is available, an agency social worker will contact you and make arrangements to meet with you to discuss the child’s background (birth records, medical history, etc.). If you wish to continue with the placement, pre-placement visits are scheduled, and final placement arrangements are made. The length of time this will take varies, depending upon the child’s developmental stage and other considerations.

There is a minimum six-month supervision period by the agency social worker, once the child is placed in the home, prior to finalization of the adoption. This is your opportunity to ask questions, and receive information about community resources from the social worker, who is required to make monthly visits to the adoptive home through the actual legal adoption. The supervision period may be extended depending upon on the needs of the child and the adoptive family.
 
 
PRIVATE AGENCY INFANT PROGRAMS

Private licensed child placing agencies are available to assist families interested in adopting healthy infants. Depending upon the agency, adoption of both American and foreign born children may be available. Procedures and length of time to receive an infant vary from agency to agency. Please contact the individual agency for further information.

Prospective adoptive parents and birth parents that have already connected with one another, and plan to pursue a private placement arrangement must do the following:

• Notify the State or County agency or select a private agency to assist them in the arrangement, and
   
• Have a home study completed prior to the placement of the baby in their home

It is important for families planning to adopt to understand that a placement cannot be made until after the birth mother signs the Consent to Adopt, which may not occur until at least 72 hours after the birth of the baby. If birth parents are married to each other, neither one can sign the Consent to Adopt sooner than the 72 hour waiting period. If the birth father is not married to the birth mother, he may sign the Consent to Adopt prior to the baby’s birth. Both parents must consent to the adoption or have his/her parental rights terminated by a court order prior to finalization of the adoption. If the home study is not completed prior to the birth of the baby, the birth parent(s) have the following options:

1. Take the baby home;
2. Arrange for the baby’s extended stay in the hospital (if the hospital permits it); or
3. Permit the adoption agency to place the baby in temporary foster care

Once the home study has been completed and the birth parent(s) have signed consents, the social worker will arrange for the baby’s release to the adoptive parents.
 

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Nevada Division of Child & Family Services
4126 Technology Way, 3rd Floor
Carson City, NV 89706 
Phone: (775) 684-4400            Fax:  (775) 684-4455
E-mail