Adopting a friend’s child is a unique process that can be emotionally fulfilling for all parties involved. With knowledge of the Tampa adoption process, you can create a streamlined plan while working with an adoption agency in Tampa.

Have you ever wondered if adoption is the correct path for you? Whether you are struggling with infertility or you feel a calling to foster or adopt, opening your heart to the idea can be incredibly rewarding. 

In this article, we will explore the complexities of adopting a friend’s child, friend adoption tips, and adoption agency advice for how to smooth the transition. 

Understanding Identified or Matched Adoptions

Most adoptions occur through a matching process that is conducted by a third party or an adoption agency in Florida. Identified or matched adoptions work the opposite way. 

Rather than reaching out to an agency to begin the process, the birth mother and the prospective parents match outside of an agency, then work with an adoption agency to legalize and finalize the adoption. 

Identified or matched adoptions are ideal because the parties may know one another on a more intimate level than the information that an adoption agency can provide. By matching on your own, you also will not have to navigate the typical wait times associated with adopting through an agency. 

Initial Steps for Both Friends

If your friend suggests an identified or matched adoption, listen carefully. Discuss concerns and expectations openly and honestly. 

You should also involve attorneys from the beginning, even before you meet with an adoption agency. It is important to ensure that all of your legal bases are covered before proceeding further. 

Legal Requirements in Florida

Even with identified or matched adoptions, you must legally involve an adoption professional to conduct a home study in Florida. For non-relatives, even close friends, the state still requires documentation of the home environment and interviews to determine emotional and financial readiness to adopt. 

Additionally, you will need your attorneys to go over the process of terminating parental rights once the baby is born.

Financial and Medical Considerations

You will also need to discuss the financial implications of the adoption. As an adoptive parent, you must still pay to work with an adoption agency and finalize the process, even if you match with the birth mother privately. Adoptive parents also typically financially assist with the birth mother’s prenatal care.

Emotional Aspects and Potential Challenges

While adoption is often a selfless act of love on behalf of the birth mother, it can be emotionally challenging for all parties involved. This can get even more frustrating when the birth mother and adoptive parents are already close. 

One aspect you need to discuss at length is whether you want an open or closed adoption. A traditional closed adoption is the most popular choice, but it may not work if you want to sustain the friendship. In a closed adoption, the birth mother is kept anonymous, and there is no further contact made between the birth mother and the adoptive parents. 

However, an open adoption involves a degree of communication between the adopted child, the adoptive parents, and the birth mother. All parties can decide the appropriate level of communication. 

For example, an open adoption could involve the birth mother being involved in the child’s life, but as an aunt or a friend. It could also mean disclosing the adoption to the child at a designated age. 

Post-Placement and Finalization 

Social workers will visit the home of the adoptive parents to conduct post-placement evaluations. These visits ensure that the child is in a safe and loving home and that the adoptive parents can adequately care for the child.

In Florida, there is a 90-day minimum waiting period between the placement of the child with the adoptive parents and the finalization of the adoption by a judge. Once the adoption is finalized, you should complete the following steps as an adoptive parent: 

• Change all documents, including the birth certificate, passport, and Social Security card. 
• Make sure that inheritance rights from wills and trusts are updated to include the adopted child. 
• Go over any other legal difficulties with your adoption attorney. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it hard to adopt a baby in Florida? 

While it depends on many factors, adopting a child in Florida can be challenging. Adoptive parents must meet the following qualifications to be considered: 

• Show continual financial stability
• Be at least 21 years of age
• Endure a rigorous background check process
• Submit to a home study, including interviews and a health assessment
• Prove your emotional readiness to raise a child

What are the income requirements to adopt a child in Florida?

While there is no minimum income required to adopt a child in Florida, you must still demonstrate that you are financially ready to support a child. You must be prepared to cover the adoption expenses, which can add up, as well as infant supplies and funds to cover emergencies. 

However, if you adopt a child from foster care in Florida, there are fewer costs involved. You may also qualify for programs to assist you with adoption fees.

How many kids are waiting to be adopted in Florida? 

As of 2025, over 800 children are waiting for adoption in Florida. While thousands of children are adopted every year, there is still a shortage of prospective adoptive parents. 

How long does it take to adopt in Florida?

The adoption timeline can vary based on the type of adoption you pursue and other elements. For example, an international adoption may take one to two years, while an identified or matched adoption can take several months. You may spend a long time waiting for a baby, or you can choose to adopt from the foster care system. 

Find an Adoption Agency in Tampa

Are you searching for the right adoption agency in Tampa to begin the process of adopting a friend’s baby?

At Heart of Adoptions, Inc., we have walked thousands of birth mothers and adoptive parents through every step of the adoption process. Our commitment is to provide personalized, legally-transparent services while serving the Tampa area with high standards of professionalism. 

Whether you are pregnant, hoping to adopt, or simply have questions about the process, reach out to us today.