My friend wants to give me her baby, do I need to go through adoption services?

You need an Attorney - otherwise it varies by State.

What State and is your friend also posting on another thread?

Not necessarily---but you WILL need a lawyer, and you will need to pay for a lawyer for your friend, and for a guardian ad litem for the baby.

Has your friend been to counseling regarding this decision? Many birthmothers change their minds within weeks of choosing adoption, mostly because they did not get enough counseling PRIOR to the adoption going through.

I suggest that you and your friend go TOGETHER to a counselor that specializes in adoption. Not only does she need to be absolutely SURE this is the choice for her---YOU need to understand how open adoption works, what your legal rights are, and what adoption will mean for you.

Depending on your state, you may still have to do a home study. The biological father will also need to be located and his consent given to relinquish parental rights before an adoption can go through.

So... the short answer is see a lawyer, then see a counselor that specializes in adoption.