You want to adopt, but private infant adoption feels out of reach financially. Or maybe you specifically want to provide a permanent home to a child who desperately needs one. You’ve heard about “foster-to-adopt,” but you’re not entirely sure what it means or how it works.
Foster-to-adopt in Arizona offers a unique path to parenthood-one that allows you to provide a safe, loving home to a child in need while potentially
becoming their forever family. It’s the most affordable adoption option available, with most costs covered by the state, and there are thousands of Arizona children waiting for permanent families right now.
But foster-to-adopt isn’t “free adoption” or a guaranteed pathway. It’s a specific process with its own timeline, requirements, emotional challenges, and legal procedures that you need to understand before you begin.
Whether you’re considering foster care as a route to adoption, exploring your options, or just want to understand how the system works, this comprehensive guide explains foster-to-adopt in Arizona from start to finish.
What Is Foster-to-Adopt in Arizona?
Understanding the Basics
First, let’s clarify an important point: there is no official “foster-to-adopt” license or certification category in Arizona.
The term “foster-to-adopt” is commonly used to describe the situation where foster parents eventually adopt a child who was placed in their care through the foster system. However, the path typically works like this:
The Foster Care Path:
- You become a licensed foster parent through Arizona DCS
- A child is placed in your home for foster care (temporary)
- The child’s case plan goal is initially reunification with birth parents
- If reunification fails, the case plan goal changes to adoption
- Birth parents’ rights are terminated by the court
- You (the foster parent) adopt the child
The Direct Adoption Path:
- You become certified to adopt (without foster license)
- You’re matched with a child who is already “free for adoption” (parental rights already terminated)
- The child is placed directly into your home for adoption
- You finalize the adoption
Key Distinction
Foster care = temporary. The goal is reunification with birth parents.
Adoption = permanent. The goal is a forever family.
When people talk about “foster-to-adopt,” they usually mean becoming a foster parent with the understanding that IF reunification fails and the child becomes legally free for adoption, you want to adopt that child.
Who Are the Children in Arizona’s Foster Care System?
Current Numbers
As of 2026, Arizona has approximately 13,500 children in foster care, with around 6,500 children who are legally free for adoption at any given time.
Age Distribution
The greatest need for foster and adoptive homes is for:
- Ages 13-17 (highest need)
- Ages 9-12 (second highest need)
- Sibling groups of any age
- Children with special needs
While there is a need for foster homes for infants and toddlers, the overwhelming need is for families willing to foster and adopt school-aged children and teenagers.
Special Needs
Many children in Arizona foster care have “special needs,” which under Arizona law (A.R.S. § 8-141) can include:
- Being age 6 or older
- Being part of a sibling group that should be placed together
- Having medical, physical, mental, or emotional conditions requiring specialized care
- Being at risk of these conditions
- Other circumstances making placement difficult
Important: “Special needs” for adoption subsidy purposes is a legal term-it doesn’t necessarily mean the child has disabilities, though some do.
Why Children Are in Foster Care
Currently, the number one reason children enter Arizona foster care is neglect. Other reasons include:
- Abuse (physical, sexual, emotional)
- Parental substance abuse
- Parental incarceration
- Abandonment
- Unsafe home environment
Critical Fact: Children come into foster care through no fault of their own. They are victims of their circumstances and deserve safe, loving homes.
Two Paths: Becoming a Foster Parent vs. Becoming Certified to Adopt
Path 1: Becoming a Licensed Foster Parent
Purpose: Provide temporary care for children while their parents work toward reunification
Requirements:
- At least 21 years old
- Pass fingerprint-based criminal background checks (FBI and local)
- Obtain Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card from Arizona DPS
- Complete foster parent training (typically 30 hours)
- Pass home inspection
- Complete home study
- Prove financial stability (able to meet your household’s current financial needs)
- Be physically, mentally, and emotionally able to care for children
Marital Status: Single, married, divorced, or widowed-all are eligible
Benefits:
- Monthly foster care subsidy ($19.68-$27.15 per day per child, depending on age)
- Child’s medical, dental, and behavioral health covered by state plan
- Ongoing training and support
- First opportunity to adopt if child becomes free for adoption
Timeline: Licensing process typically takes 4-6 months
###Path 2: Becoming Certified to Adopt
Purpose: Adopt a child who is already legally free for adoption (parental rights already terminated)
Requirements:
- At least 18 years old (note: younger than foster requirement)
- Same background checks and clearances as foster parents
- Complete adoption-specific training
- Pass home study
- Prove financial stability
Marital Status: Single, married, divorced, or widowed-all are eligible
Benefits:
- Matched with child specifically for adoption (not temporary placement)
- No uncertainty about whether reunification will occur (rights already terminated)
- Adoption subsidy and benefits for eligible children
- Legal fees for adoption covered (up to $2,000)
Note: You do NOT need to become a foster parent before you can adopt. However, becoming a foster parent first provides additional experience and may give you more placement opportunities.
The Foster-to-Adopt Process: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Learn About Foster Care and Adoption
Watch the Orientation Videos Arizona DCS provides comprehensive orientation videos at dcs.az.gov/foster. These videos explain:
- The needs of Arizona’s children
- Differences between foster care, kinship care, and adoption
- Requirements and expectations
- How to select a licensing agency
Attend an Information Session Many licensing agencies offer in-person or virtual information sessions where you can ask questions.
Call the Helpline 1-877-KIDS-NEEDU (1-877-543-7633) for questions
Step 2: Choose a Licensing Agency
Arizona contracts with multiple private agencies to license foster parents and certify adoptive parents. This is one of the most important decisions you’ll make.
Licensed Agencies Include:
- Arizona Children’s Association
- Arizona’s Children Association (AzCA)
- A New Leaf
- And many others throughout the state
What to Consider When Choosing an Agency:
- Location and accessibility
- Support services offered (24/7 support, monthly groups, etc.)
- Training quality and ongoing education
- Responsiveness and communication style
- Experience with foster-to-adopt placements
- Your personal connection with agency staff
Important: Changing agencies mid-process is possible but not always quick or easy. Choose carefully from the start.
Step 3: Complete the Application
Submit an application to your chosen agency. You’ll provide:
- Contact information
- Household composition
- Preliminary background information
- Your interest in foster care, adoption, or both
Step 4: Background Checks and Clearances
All adults in the household must:
- Submit to FBI and local criminal background checks
- Obtain Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card from Arizona DPS
- Complete DCS Central Registry check (child abuse/neglect database)
- Provide medical clearance from a physician
Cost: Fingerprint clearance card application and processing fees (typically $65-$100)
Disqualifying Convictions: Certain criminal convictions will disqualify you from fostering or adopting, particularly crimes against children or violent felonies.
Step 5: Complete Required Training
Foster Parent Training (Pre-Service Education): Typically 30 hours of training covering:
- Child development and the impact of trauma
- Behavioral management techniques
- Working with birth families
- The foster care system and court process
- Cultural sensitivity and diversity
- Health and safety issues
Adoption-Specific Training: If you’re pursuing adoption certification, you’ll complete training focused on:
- Adoption dynamics
- Attachment and bonding
- Open adoption considerations
- Supporting children through the adoption process
Ongoing Training: Even after licensure/certification, you’ll complete annual training hours to maintain your license.
Step 6: Home Study
A social worker from your licensing agency will:
- Interview all household members (including children)
- Visit your home multiple times
- Assess your home environment for safety
- Review your motivation, parenting style, and expectations
- Discuss what age range and needs you’re prepared to handle
What They’re Looking For:
- Safe, appropriate living space for a child (you don’t need to own your home-renters and apartment dwellers can foster/adopt)
- Financial stability (not wealth, but ability to meet current obligations)
- Emotional readiness
- Realistic expectations
- Support system
- Parenting skills and philosophy
Step 7: Home Inspection
The Arizona Office of Licensing & Certification conducts a home safety inspection checking:
- Smoke detectors and fire extinguishers
- Safe storage of medications and chemicals
- Adequate sleeping space for children
- Firearms safety (if applicable-all guns must be stored in locked container, unloaded, with trigger locks; ammunition stored separately)
- Pool safety (if applicable)
- General home safety
Preparation: Your agency will do a preliminary inspection and help you prepare for the official state inspection.
Step 8: References
You’ll provide at least five references who can speak about your parenting abilities and character. No more than two can be related to you. The agency will contact them for written statements and may conduct phone interviews.
Step 9: Approval and Licensing/Certification
Once everything is complete and approved:
- Foster parents: Receive foster care license
- Adoptive parents: Become certified to adopt by the court
License/Certification Duration: Typically valid for 2 years, subject to renewal
Timeline from Start to Finish: 4-6 months for licensing, though this can vary
Getting Matched with a Child
For Foster Placements
The Process:
- A child is removed from their home (or from the hospital after birth) due to safety concerns
- DCS placement unit works to match the child with an appropriate foster home
- Your agency contacts you about a potential placement
- You receive basic information about the child (age, gender, immediate needs)
- You decide whether to accept the placement
- Child is placed in your home
What You Can Specify: During licensing, you’ll discuss your “licensing parameters”:
- Age range you’re comfortable with
- Gender preferences (if any)
- Number of children (including sibling groups)
- Level of behavioral or medical needs you can handle
- Whether you can accept emergency placements
Timeline: Placements can happen very quickly (sometimes same-day for emergencies) or may take weeks/months depending on your parameters and availability.
For Adoptive Placements
The Process:
- You’re certified to adopt and placed on the adoption registry
- DCS matches families to children (not children to families-they look for the family that best meets each child’s needs)
- You can also browse Arizona’s Heart Gallery (childrensheartgallery.org) to see children waiting for adoption
- When a potential match is identified, you receive detailed information about the child
- You can meet the child and spend time together before committing
- If it’s a good fit, the child is placed in your home for adoption
What Makes a Good Match:
- Your family can meet the child’s specific needs
- Similar interests, lifestyle, or values
- Realistic expectations on both sides
- Chemistry and connection
Timeline: Can vary widely. Some families are matched within weeks; others wait months.
The Reunification Process and What It Means for Foster Parents
Understanding Reunification
When a child first enters foster care, the case plan goal is almost always reunification with the birth parents. This is required by both federal and state law-the goal is to keep families together whenever safely possible.
What This Means:
- The birth parents are working on a “case plan”-specific tasks they must complete to have their children returned (such as substance abuse treatment, parenting classes, housing stability, etc.)
- The child may have regular visits with birth parents
- You, as the foster parent, are part of a team supporting reunification
- DCS monitors the parents’ progress
Your Role:
- Provide a safe, stable home for the child during this time
- Support the child through visits with birth parents
- Work collaboratively with the birth parents when appropriate
- Attend court hearings and team meetings
- Provide information to DCS about the child’s progress and needs
Timeline: Reunification efforts can last anywhere from a few months to 15+ months, depending on the case.
When Reunification Fails
If the birth parents cannot successfully complete their case plan and remedy the safety issues within the required timeframes, DCS will petition the court to terminate parental rights (TPR).
Common Reasons for TPR:
- Failure to complete case plan requirements
- Continued substance abuse
- Continued neglect or abuse
- Abandonment (as defined in A.R.S. § 8-531)
- Long-term incarceration
- Chronic mental illness or inability to parent
- Child has been out of home for 9+ months with no substantial progress
The Legal Process:
- DCS files petition for TPR
- Court hearings are held
- Birth parents have right to contest
- Judge must find grounds for TPR and that termination is in child’s best interests
- If granted, parental rights are permanently severed
- Child becomes “legally free for adoption”
Timeline: TPR process can take 6 months to over a year
Your Right to Adopt as the Foster Parent
Arizona Law and Practice: When a child you’ve been fostering becomes free for adoption, you (the foster parent) have the first opportunity to adopt that child in most cases.
Why:
- You’ve already bonded with the child
- You know the child’s needs
- Stability and continuity are in the child’s best interests
- You’ve been providing good care
Exception: Relative placements are always sought throughout the process. Approximately 50% of children in foster care find permanency with a relative. If a suitable relative is identified, they may be given preference even over the foster parent.
Costs and Financial Support
Foster Care Costs
What You Pay:
- Fingerprint clearance card application fees ($65-$100 per adult)
- Any personal expenses you choose to incur
What the State Covers:
- All training (no cost)
- Monthly foster care subsidy:
- $19.68-$27.15 per day per child (varies by age)
- Approximately $590-$815 per month per child
- Child’s medical, dental, and behavioral health care (state plan)
- Childcare assistance when both parents work
Important: The monthly subsidy is to help cover expenses for room, board, clothing, and supplies-it’s not “payment” for fostering and doesn’t cover all expenses.
Adoption Costs Through DCS
What You Pay:
- Home study costs: Typically $1,000-$3,000 (you pay upfront, then reimbursed after adoption finalization)
What the State Covers:
- Legal fees for adoption: Up to $2,000
- Non-recurring adoption expenses: Up to $2,000 reimbursement for reasonable one-time expenses directly related to the adoption
Total Out-of-Pocket: Minimal to none (costs are covered or reimbursed)
Adoption Subsidy (Ongoing Financial Support)
If your adopted child meets “special needs” criteria (A.R.S. §§ 8-141 through 8-145), you may be eligible for ongoing adoption subsidy:
Monthly Maintenance Payments:
- Same daily rate the child received in foster care (up to foster care rate)
- Amount determined based on child’s needs and family circumstances
- Typically ranges from approximately $590-$815+ per month
- Continues until age 18 (or up to age 22 if in high school)
Special Circumstances: For children adopted at age 16+ or with certain needs, subsidy may extend to age 21 under specific conditions
Other Subsidy Benefits:
- AHCCCS (Arizona’s Medicaid): Medical, dental, and behavioral health coverage
- Special Services Subsidy: For extraordinary needs (respite care, residential treatment, etc.)
- Educational Services: For needs related to the child’s special needs conditions
Important: Subsidy amount cannot exceed what the child would receive in foster care, and benefits like Social Security are deducted from the subsidy amount.
Total Cost Comparison
Private Infant Adoption in Arizona: $30,000-$50,000+
Foster-to-Adopt in Arizona: $0-$3,000 (costs reimbursed), PLUS ongoing monthly subsidy for eligible children
This makes foster-to-adopt the most affordable adoption option in Arizona.
Emotional Realities of Foster-to-Adopt
The Uncertainty
The Hardest Part: You’re caring for a child you may love deeply, knowing there’s a possibility they could be reunified with their birth parents and leave your home.
Managing Expectations:
- Go into foster care understanding the goal is reunification
- Bond with and love the child fully while they’re with you
- Prepare yourself emotionally for multiple possible outcomes
- Build a support system
- Remember: even if reunification happens, you’ve made a positive impact on that child’s life
Trauma and Behavioral Challenges
Children in foster care have experienced trauma:
- Removal from their families
- Possible abuse or neglect
- Multiple placements
- Uncertainty about their future
This Can Manifest As:
- Acting out behaviors
- Attachment difficulties
- Developmental delays
- Mental health challenges
- Testing boundaries
Support Available:
- Trauma-informed training
- Behavioral health services for the child
- Support groups for foster/adoptive parents
- 24/7 crisis support from agencies
- Respite care when you need a break
Joy and Reward
Despite the challenges, foster-to-adopt families describe:
- Profound sense of purpose
- Joy of providing stability to a child in need
- Watching children heal and thrive
- Building your family
- Making a lasting difference in a child’s life
Real Foster Parent Quote: “We thought we’d take one kid under age 2, but after the training and learning about trauma, we opened our home to three siblings. Within a month we were matched. It’s been challenging but incredibly rewarding.”
Kinship Foster Care and Adoption
What Is Kinship Care?
Kinship care is when a child is placed with a relative or close family friend (someone the child already knows) rather than a stranger.
Kinship Caregivers Can Be:
- Grandparents
- Aunts or uncles
- Adult siblings
- Cousins
- Godparents or close family friends
Kinship Foster Care Requirements
Different Process: Kinship caregivers follow an expedited process:
- Home assessment (not full licensing, initially)
- Background checks
- Basic safety requirements
- Simpler than full foster licensing
Financial Support:
- Unlicensed kinship homes: $9.86 per day per child (approximately $300/month)
- Licensed kinship homes: Full foster care rate ($19.68-$27.15 per day)
- Kinship Stipend: Additional $600 per month per child (recent legislative increase)
Kinship Adoption
Relative caregivers can adopt the children in their care, often with:
- Waiver of pre-adoption certification requirements (A.R.S. § 8-105(N)(1))
- No home study required unless ordered by court
- Adoption subsidy eligibility
- Legal fee assistance
Important: Approximately 50% of children in foster care achieve permanency with relatives. DCS actively seeks kinship placements throughout every case.
Support Services for Foster and Adoptive Families
During Foster Care
- Monthly home visits from agency caseworker
- 24/7 crisis support hotline
- Monthly support group meetings
- Ongoing training opportunities
- Behavioral health services for children
- Respite care (temporary relief care)
After Adoption
Post-Permanency Supports (through DCS):
- Assigned Subsidy Specialist
- Behavioral Health Liaisons to help navigate systems
- Annual review process
- Referrals to community resources
- Crisis intervention support
- Educational advocacy
Community Resources:
- LFCC (Licensed Foster Care Center): Family-centered support and education
- KARE Family Centers: Services for kinship caregivers
- Adoption support groups
- Therapeutic services
Legal Process: From Placement to Finalization
Timeline Overview
Foster Care Placement → Reunification Efforts (varies) → TPR Petition Filed → TPR Hearing → Child Legally Free → Adoption Petition Filed → Finalization Hearing
Typical Total Timeline: 1-3+ years from initial placement to final adoption (highly variable)
The Finalization Hearing
When you’re ready to finalize the adoption:
- Adoption petition is filed with juvenile court
- Court reviews all documentation
- Final hearing is scheduled (usually 30-60 minutes)
- You appear before judge with the child
- Judge asks about your readiness and plans
- Judge reviews compliance with all requirements
- Judge grants final Decree of Adoption
What to Expect:
- Celebratory atmosphere (this is a happy occasion!)
- Judge speaks to the child (age-appropriate)
- Photos often allowed
- Family and friends can attend
After Finalization:
- Child’s last name can be changed
- You receive amended birth certificate from Arizona
- Adoption is permanent and irrevocable
Is Foster-to-Adopt Right for You?
Consider Foster-to-Adopt If:
✓ You’re open to school-aged children or teenagers
✓ You can handle uncertainty about adoption outcome
✓ You’re prepared to work with birth families
✓ You want to make a difference in a child’s life
✓ Cost is a significant factor in your adoption decision
✓ You’re willing to parent a child who has experienced trauma
✓ You have patience for the legal system timeline
✓ You’re open to sibling groups
✓ You have emotional resilience and support
Consider Other Adoption Paths If:
✗ You want a guaranteed adoption outcome from day one
✗ You specifically want an infant
✗ You cannot emotionally handle a child returning to birth parents
✗ You’re unwilling to interact with birth families
✗ You need a faster, more predictable timeline
✗ You cannot handle behavioral challenges stemming from trauma
Getting Started
Step 1: Watch the Orientation Videos
Visit dcs.az.gov/foster and watch the comprehensive orientation videos
Step 2: Browse Waiting Children
Visit childrensheartgallery.org to see children currently available for adoption
Step 3: Contact DCS or a Licensing Agency
Call 1-877-KIDS-NEEDU or visit dcs.az.gov to connect with a licensing agency
Step 4: Attend an Information Session
Most agencies offer information sessions where you can ask questions and meet staff
Step 5: Begin the Application Process
Choose an agency and start your licensing/certification journey
Frequently Asked Questions
Can same-sex couples foster and adopt in Arizona? Yes. Arizona welcomes LGBTQ+ foster and adoptive parents. You can be single, married, divorced, or widowed.
Do I need to own a home? No. Renters and apartment dwellers can foster and adopt. You just need safe, appropriate space.
Can I foster/adopt if I already have biological children? Yes! Many foster and adoptive families have both biological and adopted children.
What if the child has special needs I can’t handle? You specify your comfort level during licensing. You’re never required to accept a placement beyond your capabilities.
Can I work full-time and foster/adopt? Yes, though one parent typically needs to be home initially for new placements. Childcare assistance is available.
What about vaccines? Children ages 0-5 and those with certain medical conditions cannot be placed in homes where biological/adopted children haven’t been vaccinated due to DCS policy.
Can I have firearms? Yes, with proper safety measures: in locked container, unloaded, trigger locked; ammunition stored separately.
Your Journey Starts Here
Every child in Arizona’s foster care system deserves a safe, loving, permanent home. Whether you choose to become a foster parent with hopes of adoption or directly pursue certification to adopt a waiting child, you can change a life-and build your family in the process.
Stuart & Blackwell has extensive experience guiding Arizona families through foster care adoptions, including navigating DCS procedures, TPR proceedings, and finalization. Our Chandler-based adoption attorneys understand the unique challenges and rewards of foster-to-adopt.
Contact Stuart & Blackwell at (480) 420-2900 to schedule a consultation about foster care adoption in Arizona.
Stuart & Blackwell is an Arizona adoption and family law firm located in Chandler, serving families throughout Maricopa County. Founded by Kristy Blackwell (President of the Arizona Adoption Coalition) and Cory Stuart (member of the Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys), the firm specializes in all types of adoption, including foster care adoption, private adoption, stepparent adoption, grandparent adoption, and special needs adoption.