Official State of Iowa Website

Birth Parents and the Adoption Process

Relationship with your child after adoption

Putting your child up for adoption is both physically and emotionally difficult. It is important to understand your options and what interactions are allowed between you and the child once the child is adopted.  

Any options to see your child must be worked out with the adoptive parents and the adoption provider. It is important to discuss any options you are interested in with the adoption provider before your child's birth if possible. 

Expenses and payments

You cannot be paid outright in Iowa for placing a child for adoption—this is illegal. However, adoptive parents may pay for certain expenses if the court approves them. Iowa Code section 600.9. All payments for approved expenses must be made through the adoption service provider, rather than directly from the person adopting to the birth parents.

The following expenses are allowed:  Information icon

  • The birth costs of the minor to be adopted 
  • Costs related to placement of the minor by the adoption service provider 
  • Legal expenses related to the termination of parental rights and adoption processes 
  • A birth parent’s or minor child’s pregnancy-related medical care during the pregnancy or delivery and for medically necessary after-birth care 
  • Ordinary and necessary living expenses of the mother including but not limited to: 
    • Costs not to exceed $2,000 for housing, food, utilities, and transportation for medical purposes related to the pregnancy and birth of the child. These can be covered up to 30 days after the child’s birth. 
  • Counseling provided to the biological parents prior to the birth of the child, prior to the release of custody, and any counseling provided to the biological parents up until the 60th day after the child is born 
  • Living expenses or care of the minor child while termination of parental rights is pending 

It is important to consider taking advantage of these options, as proper physical and emotional care during and after pregnancy is important.