Adoption is a legal process whereby a person assumes the parenting of another, usually a child, from that person’s biological or legal parents. This permanently transfer all rights, obligations and responsibilities, along with filiation, from the biological parents to the adoptive parents.

Numerous Mississippi children are eligible for adoption right NOW. The Mississippi Dept. of Child Protection Services maintains a list of children legally free for adoption in its Heart Gallery.

Children of all ages, races, backgrounds and situations are eligible for adoption. Some of the children have special educational, emotional, or medical needs. While this information is confidential and does not appear in the children’s descriptions, it will be provided to qualified adoptive placements well prior to any adoption finalization. More detailed information about the child will be shared with interested families as they continue the matching process.

If you are interested in a child featured on the Mississippi Heart Gallery, you may request additional information and inquire about the availability of the child by clicking the child’s bio and completing the inquiry form, emailing the Adoptions Team, or calling the Heart Gallery hotline at (601) 359-4133.

This inquiry will be forwarded to the child’s worker for review and consideration based on the unique needs of the child.

A child eligible from the Heart Gallery could be adopted as soon as a proper match and good fit is established.

Matthew Thompson and Chad King are child welfare and adoption attorneys in the State of Mississippi. They have been a part of hundreds of adoptions in Mississippi throughout the State.