If you want to place your baby for adoption, you can go to a good agency in your community and they can help you through the process of chosing a family and getting legal support through the process. It should not cost you anything. There are a lot of choices you can make in the process, and you can talk to them without going through with it if you decide it's not right for you.
If you rather want to give your parenting rights to someone you know, such as the child's father, or your mother or someone like that, you would need to see a lawyer to get that taken care of. Some lawyers are available through legal assistance organizations on a free basis, or for a small fee that is based on your income and ability to pay. Every state has what is called a "bar association" which is an organization of lawyers, and if you look up your local bar association, you can call them and ask who can help you - they can probably give you a number of a good resource in your area. They will only give you the names of attorneys and organizations that are current and licensed - legitimate people.
It can also be possible to award temporary custody to someone, for example, if you are going through a difficult time and want to award custody to your parents, you can do that without making it permanent. Later, you can make it permanent if you need to. This can be a good option for people who might have an issue with money, drugs and alcohol, or an abusive relationship which they need to get out of, for example.
I strongly suggestion you get emotional counseling as well as legal advice before you take this step of relinquishing your rights to your child. Sometimes crisis makes it hard to see the future, and it's important to have someone who's not so emotionally involved walk you through those considerations so you can be sure of your decision, and whether it should be short-term or permanent. Once you give up those rights on a permanent basis, you can't change it. It's a very big decision so take your time, and make it thoughtfully with all the quality advice and support you can get.
Best wishes and God bless you!
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