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Florida Private Adoption Agencies — Agency-by-Agency Research

Direct comparison of 9 licensed private adoption agencies operating in Florida: licensing, costs, LGBTQ+ policies, accreditation, and red flags

Source

Florida Private Adoption Agencies — Agency-by-Agency Research

Compiled 2026-04-20 via web research (WebSearch + WebFetch across ~25 sources). Covers 9 full-service licensed agencies. All cost figures, wait times, and policies were pulled from agency websites, BBB profiles, state licensing records, and news sources. Information not available on public sites is flagged as "not disclosed."

Provenance

Sources consulted (alphabetical by domain):

Agency Profiles

1. Heart of Adoptions, Inc.

Headquarters: 418 W Platt Street, Suite A, Tampa, FL; statewide offices FL License: #100018034 Founded: Not published (established, well-reviewed agency) Model: Full-service LGBTQ+: Yes — "no restrictions due to religious beliefs, no blanket restrictions on age or marital status; each case handled on individual merit" Contact arrangements: Open, semi-open, closed Cost: $30,000–$40,000+ (newborn placement, depending on birth mother expenses); $7,000–$13,000 (identified/pre-matched situations where family has already found a birth mother) Wait time: Not published; agency states placement depends on "a compendium of many factors" Accreditation: NCFA (National Council for Adoption) member; FL licensed Notable: Lifetime post-placement support through sister agency HOPE program; Spanish-language services; nationally ranked in NCFA top 10 domestic agencies; budget flexibility (families can communicate their adoption budget) Contact: 1-800-462-3678 (toll-free); text 877-202-9624; heartofadoptions.com Red flags: None found

2. Gift of Life Adoptions

Headquarters: 4437 Park Blvd N, Pinellas Park, FL 33781; also serves Arizona FL License: #100030364 Founded: 1994 (~32 years; BBB file opened 3/27/1998) President/VP: Lee W. Scharrer / Jill A. Scharrer Model: Full-service LGBTQ+: Not stated on website Contact arrangements: Open and closed Cost: Not publicly disclosed Wait time: Not published Accreditation: Not BBB accredited (no accreditation); no COA/Hague found Notable: 24/7, 365-day service; Spanish spoken; older child and special needs placement available; pregnancy living expense assistance Contact: 1-800-216-5433; text (727) 549-1416; giftoflifeadoptions.com Red flags: Plantation, FL office closed as of June 2025 (Pinellas Park HQ confirmed open as of April 2026); costs not disclosed publicly; no listed accreditation; LGBTQ+ policy not stated

3. ACF Adoptions

Headquarters: 16831 NE 6th Ave, North Miami Beach, FL 33162; also Jacksonville (904-236-6776) FL License: Current, valid through 2026–2027 Founded: 1992 (~32 years) Model: Full-service LGBTQ+: Not stated on website Contact arrangements: Open (letters from approved families available) Cost: Not publicly disclosed Wait time: Not published Accreditation: NCFA member; FL licensed Notable: 150+ successful placements documented; also handles intercountry and interstate compact adoptions; domestic, international, and interstate scope Contact: 305-653-2474 (Miami); 904-236-6776 (Jacksonville); 1-800-348-0467 (toll-free); info@adoptionflorida.org; adoptionflorida.org Red flags: None found; LGBTQ+ policy not stated

4. Adoption Choices of Florida

Headquarters: Tampa (8875 Hidden River Pkwy, Suite 300) + Jacksonville FL License: Licensed (number not found on public pages) Founded: Year not published Model: Full-service, nonprofit LGBTQ+: Yes — explicitly LGBTQ+ inclusive since founding; same process for all family types Contact arrangements: Open, semi-open, closed Placement type: Newborns only (explicitly stated) Cost: Not publicly disclosed; refund policy if adoption fails (majority of agency fee returned) Wait time: Not published Accreditation: No COA/Hague found; FL licensed Notable: 24/7 expectant parent hotline; also places FL-born babies with out-of-state families; birth mother housing, food, maternity, prenatal care all included Contact: (833) 352-3678; (720) 371-1099; adoptionchoicesflorida.com Red flags: Founded year unavailable, limiting ability to assess track record

5. Adoption by Shepherd Care

Headquarters: 5400 S University Dr, Suite 102, Davie, FL 33328 (also Altamonte Springs near Orlando) FL License: #100041193 (Florida Dept of Children/Families) Founded: 1980 (~45 years; oldest Florida-based adoption agency) Structure: 501(c)(3) nonprofit Model: Full-service LGBTQ+: Not stated; Christian-based agency, states it serves "clients of all faith backgrounds" Contact arrangements: Open Cost: $400 consultation fee + $1,250 inclusion fee (upfront application costs only; total placement cost not publicly disclosed) Wait time: Not published Accreditation: IAAME Hague accreditation for intercountry adoption, valid through June 9, 2026 (granted June 9, 2022); BBB A+ rating, BBB accredited since 11/30/2004 Notable: Oldest Florida-based agency; only FL domestic agency in this comparison with Hague intercountry accreditation; also facilitates Colombia adoptions; Colombia is their current international program (previously China, Guatemala, Russia, Moldova) Contact: (954) 981-2060; fax (954) 981-2117; adoptabsc.org Red flags:

  • 2011 DCF attempted shutdown: Florida DCF filed complaint March 19, 2011 citing escalating pattern of abuses over prior three years — allegations included: coercing a birth mother into relinquishing infant twin sons, failing to provide a non-English-speaking birth mother with a translator or independent attorney, having birth mothers sign paperwork at "an incomprehensible rapid pace," failing to locate or properly notify birth fathers of paternity rights, questionable billing practices (charges for rent/utilities when birth mother wasn't in agency housing; disputed charges for Medicaid application, mattress, security deposits). A two-day administrative hearing was scheduled for June 15–16, 2011. Outcome of that hearing not found in public records; agency continued operating and received BBB accreditation and Hague accreditation subsequently.
  • 2023 Natalia Grace controversy: Agency issued public statement on June 2, 2023, clarifying it did not facilitate the Natalia Grace adoption (that case was handled by Gateway Woods, an Illinois agency). Questions arose about the agency's role in the initial contact between the child and a New Hampshire couple.

6. American Adoptions

Headquarters: National (Kansas City, MO headquarters); fully licensed in Florida FL License: FL licensed (specific license number not found in public sources) Founded: National agency with large established operation Model: Full-service, national LGBTQ+: Yes — explicitly; "strong proponent of LGBTQ rights" Contact arrangements: Open Cost: $60,000–$65,000 total (highest in this comparison); includes agency fees, birth mother financial assistance, legal fees, and home study; birth mother expenses covered for rent, utilities, groceries, maternity clothing, medical transportation, and through six weeks postpartum Wait time: Claims shorter than local-only agencies due to national marketing and larger birth mother pool Risk-sharing: Yes — if adoption disrupts before final consent, invested money is refunded (named the "Risk-Sharing Program"); unlike some competitors who retain funds Accreditation: No COA or Hague accreditation confirmed; FL fully licensed Notable: One of the largest domestic infant adoption agencies in the US; national marketing creates broader family selection for birth mothers; 24/7 birth parent counseling; dedicated specialist assigned to each family; attorney costs additional (separate FL adoption attorney required) Contact: 1-800-236-7846 (1-800-ADOPTION); americanadoptions.com Red flags: None specific to Florida; highest cost tier in comparison; FL-specific license number not found in public sources

7. Lifetime Adoption

Headquarters: National agency; FL License #100096562; also AR licensed FL License: #100096562 Founded: 1986 (~40 years) Model: Full-service, national LGBTQ+: Not stated; Christian affiliation but stated to serve all faiths; no explicit LGBTQ+ exclusion or inclusion found Contact arrangements: Open (emphasis) Cost: $30,000–$60,000+ in Florida (wide range due to variable birth mother expenses) Wait time: Not published Accreditation: FL licensed; no COA/Hague accreditation for domestic adoption Notable: Adoption finance coaching, payment plans, and help accessing adoption grants (Gift of Adoption Fund, etc.); emphasis on open adoption matching; 24/7 availability Contact: lifetimeadoption.com Red flags: LGBTQ+ policy not explicitly stated; wide cost range with no floor

8. Florida Adoption Center, LLC

Headquarters: Melbourne, FL (Brevard County); serves statewide (Orlando, Jacksonville, Tampa Bay) FL License: DCF licensed (Chapter 65c-16; specific license number not found) Founded: 1984 (~42 years) Model: Full-service LGBTQ+: Not stated Contact arrangements: Open (emphasis on ongoing relationships) Cost: Not publicly disclosed Wait time: Not published; agency partners with other agencies to shorten waits Accreditation: Not stated Notable: Newborns + DCF intervention adoptions; one of the longer-operating FL agencies; emphasizes personalized service; positive client reviews Contact: 321-250-5683; 1-855-899-5683 (LOVE); office@floridaadoptioncenter.com; floridaadoptioncenter.com Red flags: None found; LGBTQ+ policy unknown; license # not public-facing; no listed accreditation

9. Catholic Charities Adoption Services

Headquarters: Tampa (6845 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33614); Lakeland (118 W Lemon St, Lakeland, FL 33815); Catholic Charities of NW Florida also provides adoption services FL License: FL licensed by DCF Founded: 1945 in Florida (~81 years; longest-operating adoption service in this comparison) Model: Full-service, faith-based (Catholic) LGBTQ+: NO — eligibility requires applicants to be "legally married as husband and wife for at least two years with no more than two previous marriages." Explicitly excludes same-sex couples, unmarried individuals. Contact arrangements: Open, semi-open, closed Placement type: Domestic infant adoption (majority of placements are infants) Cost: Tiered across 6 installments (Application Fee, Home Study Completion Fee, Approval and Admission Fee, Placement Fee, Fee after TPR, Fee prior to Finalization); strives to keep fees "as minimal as possible"; specific amounts not publicly disclosed; legal finalization costs separate Wait time: "Within two years of home study approval" (stated as typical) Accreditation: COA (Council on Accreditation) accredited since 1974 — the strongest independent accreditation in this comparison Notable: Oldest adoption service in FL; only COA-accredited agency in this comparison; birth family selects adoptive family through profile books; post-placement counseling and support included Contact: 727-430-6306 (Tampa, 24/7); 863-670-6627 (Lakeland, 24/7); ccadoptfl.org Red flags: Strict eligibility requirements explicitly exclude same-sex couples and single/unmarried individuals; faith-based model may limit expectant mother and family pool compared to secular agencies

Red Flags Summary

Confirmed Issues

AgencyIssueDateStatus
KidzFirst Adoptions (not in main comparison)Permanently enjoined from operating in FL — took fees without placing children, failed post-placement visitsPre-2011Shut down by court order
Adoption by Shepherd CareDCF complaint: coercion, billing irregularities, failure to notify birth fathers2011Hearing June 2011; outcome unclear; agency still operating
Adoption by Shepherd CarePublic statement issued re: Natalia Grace case2023Agency denies facilitating that adoption

Policy Restrictions (Not Misconduct, But Material)

AgencyRestriction
Catholic CharitiesOnly married heterosexual couples (≥2 years married, ≤2 prior marriages)
Adoption by Shepherd CareLGBTQ+ policy not stated; Christian-based
Lifetime AdoptionLGBTQ+ policy not stated; Christian affiliation
Gift of Life AdoptionsLGBTQ+ policy not stated
ACF AdoptionsLGBTQ+ policy not stated
Florida Adoption CenterLGBTQ+ policy not stated

What Couldn't Be Pinned Down

  • Cost figures: Most FL agencies do not publish fee schedules. Gift of Life, ACF, Adoption Choices, Florida Adoption Center, and Catholic Charities all declined to post costs publicly. Shepherd Care published only application fees ($400 + $1,250), not total placement cost. American Adoptions and Lifetime Adoption published ranges ($60K–$65K and $30K–$60K+) without itemized breakdowns.
  • Match wait times: No FL agency in this comparison publishes specific wait time data. Heart of Adoptions' FAQ noted placement depends on "many factors." Catholic Charities stated "within two years" as a general guideline. One anecdotal review mentioned a 4.5-year wait at Heart of Adoptions.
  • Adoption by Shepherd Care 2011 DCF hearing outcome: The hearing was scheduled but no public record of its final disposition was found. The agency's continued operation, BBB A+ rating, and 2022 Hague accreditation suggest it was not shut down, but specific outcome is unverified.
  • Founded year for Heart of Adoptions and Adoption Choices of Florida: Neither publishes a founding date.
  • FL license number for American Adoptions and Florida Adoption Center: Not found in public-facing sources.
  • LGBTQ+ policies for Gift of Life, ACF, Florida Adoption Center, and Lifetime Adoption: None of these agencies explicitly address LGBTQ+ eligibility on their public sites — contact required to confirm.
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