Foster care adoption
When children are in the Oregon foster care system and cannot be safely returned home to their parents, an adoption plan is possible. Relatives and people with past important relationships to foster children, before they enter foster care, are considered for a child before anyone else. If a child needing adoption does not have relatives or other important people wishing to adopt them, the child becomes eligible to be matched with a waiting, studied family.
Private infant adoption
Since most children living in foster care who are available for adoption are school aged, families seeking to adopt a baby are encouraged to contact a private infant adoption agency licensed by the state. These agencies work with birthparent(s) that choose to place their newborn infant with an adoptive family.
Non-departmental adoption
Non-departmental adoptions in Oregon are adoptions that are finalized in an Oregon court for a child who is not in the custody of the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS). Many families choose to adopt through a private adoption make plans to adopt their stepchildren, relatives, friends, or neighbors. See our Non-departmental adoption page for more information