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How to Place a Baby for Adoption in New York
Adoption in New York moves at your pace. You stay in control of every step. Nothing is final until you sign consent. And even after you sign, there is a window where you can change your mind.
Florida Phone: 518-557-1722
Ithaca, New York Office
200 E Buffalo St # 301, Ithaca, NY 14850
Reviewed by: Jodi Grizzle, LCSW (Clinical Director) | Wendy Knowles, Birth Parent Support Specialist
Last reviewed: June 2026
What happens when I make that first call?
It starts with a call or a text. No commitment. If after you have talked and gotten more information, you can work with someone who as helped women through this before.
A real person answers, not a voicemail. Heart to Heart Adoptions is here 24/7, and whoever picks up listens first. You don’t need a decision yet. You can just say you’re pregnant and you don’t know what to do. That’s enough
Women often ask, “What does giving up my baby for adoption mean?”
Let us change the vocabulary here. “Placing a baby for adoption is not “giving up,” it is a brave, loving decision.
The first step is to make sure that adoption is the right decision. Only you can choose what is best for you and your baby. When you call our 24-hour line—
- You will receive information.
- You will not be pressured.
- You will not be judged.
- You will not be rushed.
- You will receive any information you need about the legalities of adoption in New York.
- You will NOT be charged for any of these services.
- You will be assured that everything is completely confidential.
What are the steps to placing a baby for adoption in New York?
- Deciding where you will want to live during your pregnancy.
- If your present living conditions are not safe for you or for your baby, we can help you relocate. We have apartments close to our offices that can be made available if that is an option you want to consider.
- Find an adoptive family and decide what kind of openness you would like.
- We have access to dozens of family profiles. After asking you what you want in an adoptive family, we will allow you to see profiles that match your preferences. You can meet with these families on the phone or in person. The choice is yours.
- You can have an open, a semi-open, or a closed adoption.
- Make a birthing plan
- Decide what type of birth you want to have and where.
- Decide who you want to be with you in the hospital.
- Decide what type of medical support you want.
- Complete the legal process
- You will be asked to sign consent documents for the legality of the adoption. These can be signed when and where you feel the most comfortable.
- Access post-placement services
- After the baby is in the custody of the adoptive parents, we don’t just leave you alone. We are here to facilitate post-placement between you and the adoptive parents in whatever manner you feel comfortable with. Often, this is a computer app called OurHeartsConnect, which allows you to share pictures, videos, and messages.
A New York adoption story
Amelia* was the oldest of six children and had spent years caring for her younger siblings. She loved them. But for the first time in her life, she was on her own, living in a small Alcove Studio. Because she did want to be a mother, she couldn’t even think about adoption for her baby. She was within a week of her due date, when the birth father refused to admit this was his baby. Amelia realized she wasn’t mentally in a place to mother a baby. She knew how much work children were.
Michelle answered the phone when Amelia called at one a.m. They talked for an hour. The next night Amelia called earlier and they spent another hour. Amelia went into the hospital still uncertain about the best future for her or her baby. Holding the child Amelia knew. She called Michelle again and started to choose an adoptive family.
- Name changed
What is an adoption plan?
You build your own adoption plan. It will not be like anyone else’s plan. This plan will include deciding what kind of family you want to raise you baby. You get to decide how much contact you want with the family after the placement. You get to decide who will be at the hospital to support you. And you get to change your mind on any of these things.
New York lets you and the adoptive family write down your contact plan and have a judge approve it. Once that happens, it’s enforceable. Heart to Heart helps you write it down clearly.
We know this is one of the hardest things you will ever do. We also know that women who are supported, informed, and empowered make decisions they can live with and feel peace about. That is what we are here for.
“We never consider that it’s too late to make a decision or to change your mind to a different plan. I’ve been in the hospital with women in active labor that have just decided adoption might be the best.”
— Birth Parent Support Specialist
“i had about two weeks more in my pregnancy, and I actually had support for parenting, but then one morning I looked around and realized I wasn’t ready to put bring a little baby into this situation. Wendy responded to my text and was so helpful.”
— Birth Mother, New York
Questions Women Ask About Placing a Baby for Adoption
Explore each topic in more detail.
Can I choose adoption at the hospital?
Yes. Some women decide during labor or right after birth. Your caseworker can talk with you at the hospital or right after you’ve left, whatever works for your situation.
Is it too late if I'm due next week?
No. Call now. Heart to Heart has helped women build plans in their final days of pregnancy. The sooner you call, the more options your caseworker can help you explore, but it is not too late.
Can I make an adoption plan after birth?
Yes. New York law actually requires that consent be signed after birth, so plenty of women finalize their decision once their baby has already arrived.
What if I already named my baby?
That’s completely fine. Naming your baby doesn’t change your options or commit you to anything. Many birth mothers name their baby and still choose adoption.
What if I leave the hospital before deciding?
That’s okay too. You can continue talking with your caseworker after you’ve left the hospital. New York law requires that consent happen after birth, but there’s no deadline for when after birth you have to decide.
Can I meet the adoptive family before delivery?
Yes, if you’d like to. Many birth mothers meet or talk with their chosen family by phone, video, or in person before their due date. It’s entirely your choice whether and when to meet.
What if I change my mind during pregnancy?
You can change your mind at any point before you sign consent, which can only happen after birth anyway. Nothing during pregnancy locks you into a decision.
Do I need the father's permission?
It depends on the situation. New York treats married and unmarried fathers differently, and an unmarried father’s rights depend on the steps he’s taken. Your caseworker and lawyer will walk you through what applies to you specifically.
We're Here for You
Whether you're just starting to explore or ready to talk, our compassionate team is here to listen and support you—without pressure or judgment.
What if I'm far along or already had my baby?
It’s not too late. Heart to Heart has helped women build adoption plans in their third trimester and after birth. Call 518-557-1722 right now if your situation is urgent.
⬇ DOWNLOAD: Your Hospital Plan — Decisions You Can Make (PDF)
(free PDF, no signup required)
What support do I get after placement?
Counseling keeps going for as long as you need it. OurHeartsConnect, our private app, gives you an easy way to stay in touch with the adoptive family. Your caseworker doesn’t disappear once your baby is placed.
⬇ DOWNLOAD: What to Bring to the Hospital (PDF)
(free PDF, no signup required)
New York Downloadable PDFs to Help Plan an Adoption
→ Adoption Help in New York City
→ Adoption Help on Long Island, New York
→ Adoption Help in Albany and the Capital Region
→ Adoption Help in Buffalo and Western New York
→ Adoption Help in Rochester, New York
→ Adoption Help in Syracuse and Central New York
→ Adoption Help in the Hudson Valley, New York
→ Adoption Help for Upstate and Rural New York
You don't have to do this alone.
We're here to walk beside you—every step of the way.
Call or Text Anytime
801-563-1000
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