• Contact the agency
• Make a parenting plan including housing, childcare, financial resources, and support
• Obtain baby care necessities
• Complete a paternity test after the baby is born
• Some states also have a Putative Father Registry which allows an unmarried man who believe he could be a father to register his information to be contacted in case of an adoption placement. By putting your name on the registry, you are claiming possible paternity and taking financial responsibility for the child. 

The steps to parenting after involving an adoption agency are the same for mothers and fathers. If there is a concern about the baby’s safety, counselors will be required to make a referral to the state/county prior to the baby being released into a parent’s care.