None. All services for birth parents are offered free of charge. Information, process and counselling is provided to birth parents and their families before, during and after an adoption placement up to 12 months after the adoption is granted.

No. Money, valuables or household financial compensation is not allowed as it is illegal in Canada and seen as an inducement for the adoption.

Yes. Birth parents can share what expectations they have when it comes to a family to place their child with. Birth parents view adopting couple’s profile books and read their agency homestudy; then decide who is the family for their child. Once a decision is made about moving forward with a certain couple, a match meeting is scheduled for all parties to meet, get to know one another, and discuss next steps of the adoption placement.

Adoption consents can only be signed AFTER the child is born and only once you are sure that this is the right choice for you and your child. An adoption consent form cannot be signed for approximately 12 to 24 hours after receiving general anesthetic.

Whoever has legal guardianship and has signed the “Consent by Guardian to Adoption” form, has ten full days after the consent is signed to revoke their consent. If a birth parent changes their mind within those ten days, this must be provided in writing to the Agency or the social worker and then the child would be returned immediately.

After the ten-day period has expired, it is a very difficult process to have the child returned to your care. You would need to hire legal services and attend court, where a judge would make a final decision based on what is in the child’s best interests.

The arrangements in an open adoption are not legally binding. It is important that birth parents choose a family that can be trusted to maintain their commitments, openness, and connections with birth parents and their families.

Contact arrangements are not court ordered; they are morally binding but are always to be made in the child’s best interests. Contact can be maintained in a variety of ways (in-person, private social media pages, text messaging, emails, regular updates, and photos).

According to the Family Law Act, a legal consent form is required for an adoption placement if the birth father is deemed a guardian. Each situation is unique, but ASMA does our best to engage birth fathers in the adoption planning for their child or maintaining a connection following the placement. Obtaining their medical and social information is very important for the child and the adopting family.

The timeline for an adoption to be finalized through the courts is approximately eight to twelve months after the consents are signed and the child placed with the new family.

Yes. You do not have to place your child for adoption at birth. You may choose to parent, try your best and then decide that making an adoption plan is in your, and the child’s, best interests. It is not usually difficult to find adopting parents for children under four years of age.

Yes, most definitely. ASMA has a wonderful support network of birth parents who welcome the opportunity to talk and share with others who are considering adoption.

ASMA social worker will remain connected to birth parents for ongoing post adoption supports, community connections, emotional, and physical follow ups, and assisting with any post partum counselling.

At ASMA, the caring staff will help you before, during and after an adoption placement. You will not be Alone; we are Here for you!