What Do Adoption Agencies (and Law Centers) Actually Do?

If you’re new to the adoption process, you’ve probably come across terms like adoption agency, adoption facilitator, and adoption law center — and wondered:

“What do these professionals actually do… and which one do I need?”

The adoption process can be complex, and the role of your adoption professional is crucial to ensuring the experience is legal, ethical, and emotionally supported for everyone involved.

This article explains what adoption agencies do — and how law centers like Adoption Network Law Center (ANLC) provide a distinct, legally-supervised alternative.

What Does a Traditional Adoption Agency Do?

Licensed adoption agencies are regulated by state authorities and typically offer a full-service experience.

They often provide:

• Adoptive parent home studies
• Birth mother outreach and matching
• Counseling for both parties
• Legal coordination (via outside attorneys)
• Hospital planning and post-placement support
• Post-placement supervision (as required by state law)

Agencies may be nonprofit or private, and services can vary widely depending on location and licensing.

What Does an Adoption Law Center Do?

Adoption law centers — like ANLC — operate under the direction of a licensed attorney, providing adoption services with a strong legal foundation.

At ANLC:

• We are not a licensed adoption agency
• We are a California law corporation offering services nationwide
• We operate under attorney supervision with strict legal oversight
• We focus on facilitating private domestic adoptions for newborns and infants

Our services include:

• Nationwide birth mother marketing and outreach
• Presentation of adoption opportunities to adoptive parents
• Guidance on open, semi-open, or closed adoption plans
• Legal support from a licensed attorney throughout the process
• Coordination with outside professionals for home study and finalization

Key Differences: Agencies vs. Law Centers

Why Families Choose Law Centers Like ANLC

Families seeking private, legally sound, and nationwide adoption services often choose ANLC for:

• Faster timelines through wider exposure
• Direct access to legal professionals
• Control over preferences and openness
• A team that’s transparent, accessible, and committed to ethical practices
• A high volume of successful placements (6,000+ over 30+ years)

We work with both hopeful adoptive parents and expectant mothers to create a plan that is thoughtful, lawful, and built on mutual trust.

Key Adoption Agency Considerations

Adoption professionals aren’t one-size-fits-all. Whether you choose a licensed agency or a law center like ANLC, make sure your adoption team offers:

Legal clarity
Ethical guidance
Support for all parties
Nationwide access (if desired)
Transparency about fees, timelines, and expectations

When you choose wisely, you can focus on what matters most: preparing to welcome your child into a safe, loving, and forever home.