Agency Certification
Division of Youth and Family Services
Bureau of Licensing
Under the state Adoption Law (N.J.S.A.9:3-37 et seq.) And the Manual of Requirements for Adoption Agencies (N.J.A.C. 10:121A), the official state regulations, the New Jersey Department of Human Services - Division of Youth and Family Services’ Bureau of Licensing is responsible for certifying all public and private adoption agencies both within and outside the state that provide adoption services in New Jersey.
As such, the New Jersey Department of Human Services - Division of Youth and Family Services’ Bureau of Licensing is the responsible entity in the State of New Jersey for ensuring that all adoption agencies subject to its approval comply with the adoption laws of the State of New Jersey.
The Manual of Requirements for Adoption Agencies is based on the New Jersey State Adoption Law and constitutes minimum baseline requirements to ensure that the programmatic and administrative needs of adoption agencies and the social service needs of the families and children they serve are met.
The Bureau of Licensing conducts a program inspection of the agency during every two-year period. In addition, the Bureau conducts investigation of complaints received on adoption agencies licensed by this office.
The Bureau does not recommend specific agencies to render services for prospective applicants/birth parents. However, the Bureau will identify adoption agencies that provide domestic or international adoptions, perform home studies, conduct searches, as well as provide the geographic location of agencies located near the prospective applicants/birth parents.
Information regarding an adoption agency license by New Jersey Division of Youth and Family, Bureau of Licensing can be obtained by contacting Anna Montes or Kim Golden at (609) 292-8255. Letters can be sent to DYFS, Bureau of Licensing, P.O. Box 717, Trenton, NJ 08625