What is a private adoption facilitator?

A private adoption facilitator is a person or company providing services to a birth and adoptive parent concerning the placement and adoption of a child. In Virginia, private adoption facilitators are allowed to advertise for potential adoptive parents, provide resources to adoptive parents, and refer birth and adoptive parents to adoption agencies or attorneys. Additionally, a private adoption facilitator in Virginia may provide non-legal services on behalf of the adoptive parents including counseling and helping to arrange medical appointments. Private adoption facilitators are not licensed and are not subject to the same regulations as adoption agencies. Therefore, the role of the private adoption facilitator differs from that of an adoption agency in Virginia. The primary difference is that a private adoption facilitator is not responsible for conducting extensive background checks and home studies. Private adoption facilitators are required to provide services to the birth and adoptive parents in accordance with Virginia law, which requires them to have both the birth and adoptive parents sign certain documents. Private adoption facilitators must also keep certain records regarding the placement of the child and must provide a written disclosure to the adoptive parents of the role of the private adoption facilitator and to the birth parents of the role of the adoptive parents. Ultimately, private adoption facilitators provide important services to both the birth and adoptive parents in Virginia, such as providing resources and referrals to adoption agencies and attorneys. However, it is important for both the birth and adoptive parents to understand the role of the private adoption facilitator and be aware of their limitations in the adoption process.

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