If you find yourself pregnant and giving up for adoption in an emergency crisis, then there are safe surrender laws in all 50 states that can protect you and your baby from harm. It’s important for you to complete the baby surrender correctly, as many newborns have been harmed because their parents didn’t know about Safe Haven laws.

But, Safe Haven laws are not your only option when you are pregnant and giving up for adoption. You can also work with an adoption agency to receive financial assistance and choose an adoptive family.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about your adoption options. Should you find yourself in a crisis, you can do what is best for yourself and your baby.

If you have any questions about how to find a Safe Haven or about the adoption process, then you can always get free information here.

The Difference between Baby Safe Haven and Adoption

Surrendering your baby and adoption are two of the ways to make sure your baby isn’t abandoned in unsafe conditions — but choosing adoption has many more benefits for you and your baby.

Here is the difference:

Safe Haven laws, sometimes called Baby Moses Laws, allow parents to surrender an infant at a designated location, such as a hospital, police station or fire station. As long as the baby isn’t harmed, the parent will not be punished for leaving them.

Many people use the baby Safe Haven program because they can anonymously surrender their baby, which can be a safe solution for what they’re going through. However, when you choose this route, you will receive no support, you will lose any chance of remaining connected to your child, and your child will most likely end up in the state foster care system.

When you choose adoption, you can avoid these negatives outcomes. You can still place your baby for adoption and remain anonymous. When you’re pregnant and giving up for adoption, you’ll receive more benefits than if you were to solely rely on a Safe Haven baby location. The benefits of choosing adoption include:

• Adoption financial assistance to help with any adoption- and pregnancy-related expenses
• The ability to choose the perfect family for your baby, so you can be as specific as you want
• Free, 24/7 counseling so that you are never alone
• Complete anonymity in the adoption process so you can maintain complete privacy
• And much more

Finding a Safe Haven When Pregnant and Giving Up For Adoption: 5 FAQs about Baby Moses Laws

If you find yourself pregnant and giving up for adoption, then knowing about Baby Moses laws will give you a better understanding of what it means to surrender your baby at a Safe Haven location. While Baby Moses laws and Safe Haven locations may seem like the best option, it’s not always the case.

Here are five FAQs about Baby Moses laws that you need to know:

1. What is a Safe Haven for Babies?

A Safe Haven location is an emergency services building, such as a fire station, hospital or police station, where a parent can legally and anonymously surrender a child within a specific time of their birth. Some buildings are specifically registered as Safe Havens and will either have a special baby box or staff members trained to receive these babies.

Designated Safe Haven locations vary by state, so it’s extremely important to find an approved Safe Haven location in your state and follow all state laws. While surrendering your baby can be done legally and anonymously, making an adoption plan with an adoption agency can also offer all these things and might give you a better peace of mind.

Additionally, choosing adoption allows you to:

• Create an adoption plan with complete anonymity
• Control your adoption journey
• Decide how much contact you want with your child
• And much more

Remember that when you’re pregnant and giving up for adoption, you can always contact an adoption agency to learn about your options.

2. What Locations Are Registered as Safe Havens?

Any building that bears the registered Safe Haven sign is a place where you can legally, safely and anonymously surrender a child and be protected by Safe Haven laws.

Most commonly, Safe Havens are found at:

• Fire stations
• Police stations
• Hospitals

But, it’s important to remember that not every emergency location is a registered Safe Haven. Use this tool to find your nearest Safe Haven location. If you’re having trouble finding a Safe Haven, you can always choose adoption while still remaining anonymous. When you choose adoption, you go from feeling like you are losing control of your situation, to being in complete control of the outcome and decisions made throughout the process. 

If you can’t find a registered Safe Haven and want to surrender your child, then contact a private adoption agency to get free information from an adoption professional now.

3. Does Every State Have Baby Safe Haven Laws?

All 50 states have Safe Haven laws to protect parents who surrender their children at registered Safe Haven locations. Parents who abandon their children anywhere that is not a registered Safe Haven location could be criminally liable for child endangerment, abandonment or neglect.

When you’re pregnant and giving up for adoption at a registered Safe Haven location, it is legal to surrender your child with no criminal liability. It’s important to know about Safe Haven locations because of the abundance of children being abandoned because their parents didn’t know Safe Havens exist.

While it’s important to know about Safe Haven laws, remember that choosing adoption is always an option. From the moment you pursue adoption, you are in charge of determining the details of your adoption plan, all while remaining anonymous. You will never get in trouble for choosing adoption, no matter what situation you’re in.

If you want to learn more about the benefits of choosing adoption over Safe Haven, then you can fill out our contact form to get free information now. We’d be happy to help!

4. Why Do Safe Havens for Babies Exist?

Safe Haven locations exist to give birth parents the ability to surrender their child anonymously and legally while ensuring their baby’s safety. This allows parents in crisis to hopefully secure a better future for themselves and their child without legal repercussions.

If you are unable to find a Safe Haven location in your area, then you can always contact a private adoption agency at any time.

When you’re pregnant and giving up for adoption, it’s always free to contact an adoption agency where they can help provide you with important services (at no cost) like financial assistance, counseling and more. Placing your baby for adoption will always be a heroic, selfless act. You’re never “giving up” when you choose adoption. Instead, you’re giving your child the gift of an incredible future.

5. How Does Safe Haven Baby Surrender Work?

When a parent decides to surrender their child to a Safe Haven location, they must go inside the designated location and be handed to an employee. Then they can leave with no questions asked.

In order to surrender your baby legally, you must abide by your state’s Safe Haven laws. Learn more about your specific state’s laws here.

When you’re pregnant and giving up for adoption, you can contact an adoption agency whenever you’re ready. You can receive important services through an adoption agency, and you have the opportunity to choose an adoptive family that you think is best for your child.

Although a Safe Haven acts as an alternative to abandoning a baby, if you want to provide your child with the best opportunities and services that will benefit you both, adoption is the best way to achieve that goal.

If you have any questions about adoption, then fill out our contact form to get started.