Adoption Services

Lutheran Family Service is a fully licensed child-placing agency that provides a wide-range of adoption services including domestic infant adoption, international adoption, embryo adoption, down syndrome adoption, and search and reunion assistance. We are here to walk with you on the journey of deciding the best option for you and your family.

Request Your Adoption Information Packet Today

Use our webform to request a packet of adoption services information that you will need to begin the process of building your family through adoption. Click or tap the "Request Information" button below.

Request Information

Creating Family Through Adoption

For over 120 years, Lutheran Family Service has been a trusted leader in Christian adoption services, matching thousands of children with their forever families. We provide adoption services to Iowa, North & Central Illinois, Eastern Nebraska and Eastern South Dakota!

Lutheran Family Service offers a Domestic Infant Adoption Program and Down Syndrome Adoption Program as well as services related to International Adoption and Embryo Adoption. We also provide services to birth families and adoptees previously matched through Lutheran Family Service who want to reunite through search and reunion assistance.

The Lutheran Family Service Christian adoption program is built on our belief that every human life—no matter how it was conceived—is precious in the eyes of God. Every child has the right to grow in families where their emotional, developmental, spiritual and physical needs will be adequately met.

Our Biblical view of adoption means that we desire to bring children to a new life in Christ through adoption. It’s a faith-giving act of love.

The process requires planning and preparation, but Lutheran Family Service will always be available to walk with you on that journey as you create a family through adoption.

Lutheran Family Service is able to provide licensed adoption services in the following areas:

  • Iowa
  • North and Central Illinois (2.5 hr radius of East Moline)
  • Eastern Nebraska (3 hr radius of Omaha)
  • Eastern South Dakota (3 hr radius of Sioux Falls)

Adoption is a unique, lifelong experience for adopting parents, adopted children and birth parents. It requires ongoing education, reflection and participation, and we’ll walk with you every step of the way. Because of this, Lutheran Family Service provides adoption help to both adoptive parents and birth parents. We encourage families of all ethnicities to apply to be adoptive families.

Contact Lutheran Family Service for information and support. To talk by phone or to schedule a confidential appointment, call us at:

515-251-4900
[email protected]

WHAT TO EXPECT

Adoption is a rewarding process, but it can also be a long one. Lutheran Family Service cannot make any guarantee of placement or time frame for the process because it is dependent upon choices made by each adoptive couple, each birth mother, and the nature of each situation. Though there are significant costs to adoption, Lutheran Family Service will assist you in finding ways to help offset some of the costs (tax credits, grants, fundraisers, etc.).

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the requirements of their State Code regarding adoptions, as well as Lutheran Family Service’s own requirements:

  • Male/female couple married at least 3 years
  • Active members in a Christian congregation
  • Desire to raise child/children in the Christian faith
  • Good mental, emotional and physical health

Online Adoption Fee Payment

If you are already in our adoption program, and wish to pay your fees securely online, you may do so using the "Make Online Payment" button below.

Make Online Payment

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT EMBRYO ADOPTION?

Click the button below to view a Zoom replay of our Embryo Adoption Webinar!

View Embryo Adoption Webinar!

Lutheran Family Service provides adoption services in Iowa, North & Central Illinois, Eastern Nebraska and Eastern South Dakota.

Lutheran Family Service adoption branch offices are located in:

  • Des Moines, IA – 6200 Aurora Avenue Suite 410W, Urbandale, IA 50322
  • Fort Dodge, IA – 409 Kenyon Road, Suite C, Fort Dodge, IA 50501
  • Council Bluffs, IA – 3112 W. Broadway, Council Bluffs, IA 51503
  • Quad Cities, IA – 2550 Middle Road, Suite 202, Bettendorf, IA 52722
  • East Moline, IL – 17628 Hubbard Rd, East Moline, IL 61244
  • Omaha, NE – 9430 Himebaugh Circle, Omaha, NE 68134
  • Sioux Falls, SD – 3409 W. 47th Street, Suite 103, Sioux Falls, SD 57106

The state of Illinois requires certain information be available on the website for adoptive parents residing in Illinois. Please click to view and/or download the following: Illinois Adoptive Parents Rights and Responsibilities, Policy & PracticesLicensing Standards for Child Welfare Agencies, Annual Report, and the Adoption Inquiry Packet (which includes a description of adoption services provided, general eligibility criteria, fees and registration form). The Lutheran Family Service Illinois license number is: 568556. The state of Illinois maintains a complaint registry which you can access by calling 1-800-252-2873.

You helped us become a family. Thanks for everything. You are so wonderful at what you do– kind, compassionate, ethical and honest. Thank you for your strength and support during these crazy and beautiful times.

- Lucas & Sofia