You want the best adoption agency for your needs. We want to check agencies and find what works best for you and your baby. Comparing Florida adoption agencies? Learn what to look for, what separates licensed nonprofits from other options.
The best adoption agencies in Florida are licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families, operate as nonprofits, provide all services free to birth mothers, and give both birth mothers and adoptive families a dedicated case manager available 24/7.
Heart to Heart Adoptions (FL License #100033775) is a licensed nonprofit that has served Florida birth mothers and adoptive families for more than 25 years.
For birth mothers: adoption is completely free, financial help begins immediately, and you choose the adoptive family.
If you are choosing an adoption agency in Florida as a birth mother making an adoption plan for a family hoping to adopt, this is an important decision.
There are differences in support and communication differs considerably in agencies. You want an agency that is honest and communicates with you. You also want an agency that understands the legal process and is willing to honor your desire for openness in the adoption
Not every organization that handles adoptions in Florida is the same kind of entity. Understanding the differences helps you ask better questions.
Licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families under Florida Statute Chapter 63. Operate as 501(c)(3) nonprofits. Provide the full service: counseling, case management, family matching, financial support for birth mothers, legal coordination, and post-placement support. This is what Heart to Heart is.
Also Florida DCF licensed, but operate as for-profit businesses. All services are legal and regulated, but profit is a factor in how the agency is structured and incentivized. Ask about fee structures and what happens if a match falls through.
Handle the legal filings only. Do not provide case management, counseling, family matching, or financial assistance to birth mothers. Sometimes used independently for private adoptions. Heart to Heart provides you with your own independent attorney at no cost as part of the agency service.
Some large national agencies operate in Florida through satellite offices or contracted workers. The agency may be excellent — but ask whether your case manager is Florida-based, whether they have relationships with Florida hospitals and courts, and whether they understand state-specific legal nuances.
Heart to Heart is not the only good adoption agency in Florida. What we can tell you honestly is what we are:
If you are comparing us to another agency and want a straight answer about what we do differently, call 844-522-7700 and ask. We will tell you honestly
"They were honest about the wait. Other agencies told us what we wanted to hear. Heart to Heart told us the truth and then delivered"
— Adoptive family, Florida"I checked out three agencies before choosing Heart to Heart. They were the only ones who didn't rush me and really listened to what I wanted for my baby"
— Birth mother, Florida"I was lowkey terrified. I didn't want an abortion. I felt her move and already loved thinking about her But I also knew I couldn't raise a baby. Still, the thought of never seeing her again broke me. I wanted to know where she was, that she was loved. But I had no idea how to make that happen. Then I called Heart to Heart, and for the first time, someone actually listened to me"
— M, Jacksonville, Florida"I could tell Heart to Heart was different from my first phone call to a lady who didn't really sound interested in me, just the baby. But Wendy at Heart to Heart didn't pressure me. She just helped me understand my options and told me what help I could get, because I really needed help."
— Tamika, Tampa, Florida
The best Florida adoption agency for you depends on what you need. For birth mothers, look for a licensed nonprofit that is free, provides a dedicated case manager, offers 24/7 support, gives you the right to choose the adoptive family, and provides post-placement counseling. Heart to Heart Adoptions (FL License #100033775) meets all of these criteria and has served Florida birth mothers for more than 25 years.
Ask for the agency’s Florida Department of Children and Families license number and verify it. A licensed agency will provide this information immediately. Heart to Heart’s Florida license number is #100033775.
No legitimate adoption agency charges birth mothers. Adoption is always free for birth mothers. All agency fees are paid by the adoptive family. If an agency asks you to pay anything, walk away.
Both types can be licensed and legitimate. A nonprofit agency operates without a profit motive. Decisions about your case should not be influenced by considerations about how much the agency may profit. A for-profit agency must balance service quality with business sustainability. Ask both types the same questions and compare the answers.
Wait times to adopt a baby can vary a lot. We try to give you honest wait time estimates. But truthfully it is difficult to say. We have had families adopt within a few weeks after having their family profile active. We have also had families wait several months and occasional years. Heart to Heart gives honest wait time estimates based on current placement activity rather than inflated numbers designed to attract families. Call 844-522-7700 for a current, honest answer specific to your situation.
Yes. Interstate adoption requires ICPC (Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children) compliance. Heart to Heart coordinates all ICPC paperwork for out-of-state adoptive families.
OurHeartsConnect is a private post-placement communication computer app that Heart to Heart uses to keep birth mothers and adoptive families connected after placement. Family can exchange photos, message, and videos as often as they want with only individuals who have been allowed in the group.
Yes. Heart to Heart places babies with approved families from across the country. You do not need to be a Florida resident to adopt through Heart to Heart. ICPC handles the interstate legal requirements.
Open adoption means the birth mother and adoptive family choose to have contact after placement. This contact can take on various forms. Most families choose to exchange message, photos, and videos. some families make regular or infrequent phone calls and some arrange visits. Heart to Heart does not require open adoption, but strongly encourages it based on research showing better outcomes for children and birth mothers. Adoptive families are vetted for their genuine commitment to honoring open adoption agreements.
We're here to help you explore your options, without pressure or judgment.
Last Reviewed
2026