Private Adoption

While LSI does not place children for private adoption, we are licensed to do home studies for people planning to adopt privately through an attorney or other agency. We do not complete home studies for international adoption.

LSI can also provide follow-up visits after a child is placed in a home and issue reports after the placement. These visits and reports are required by state law to finalize adoptions.

Foster Care

Since 2007, LSI has been a partner agency in Iowa KidsNet, the statewide collaboration of agencies that recruits, trains, licenses and supports all of Iowa’s foster and adoptive homes for children. See more.

If you are interested in becoming a foster parent or adopting from foster care, please visit Iowa KidsNet or call 1.800.243.0756.

Adoption Records

LSI has a rich history in private adoption. From 1939 to present day, LSI completed around 4,000 private adoptions for Iowans.

Most of these adoptions were closed, which means LSI legally cannot disclose adoption records or identifying information to adoptees or birth parents who may want to connect years later.

LSI does not actively search for adoptees or birth parents, and Iowa’s current laws state that updated medical history can only be obtained for compelling reasons and through a court order.

However, if you were part of an adoption through the former Lutheran Social Service of Iowa (LSS) or LSI, we can offer you a privacy release form to keep on file. If each party contacts LSI independently and signs a form, we will notify you of the match.

For more information on LSI closed adoption records, contact:

Karen Weiss
Caseworker
515.271.7329

Find Out More

Fill out your contact information below and someone will contact you regarding our services.