How to Adopt a Child

Adoption, whether public or private, is a long and often emotionally trying process that may cost up to $25,000 and require a wait of up to several years.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Adoption Announcements
• Adoption Forms
• Attorney

1. Decide what sort of child you want to adopt. Consider factors such as race, ethnicity, age and special needs. Your choice of a child will influence the kind of agency you use.

2. Select an agency. There are both private and public agencies; public agencies generally handle special-needs adoptions and adoptions of older children, while private agencies handle all domestic and intercountry adoptions.

3. Ask the agency for references, check on their licensing and inquire about fees and payment schedules. Fees required by public agencies, which are funded through state and federal monies, are much lower than those required by private agencies.

4. Once you've chosen an agency, complete an application form.

5. Participate in the home study, which will evaluate your potential as an adoptive parent. This process can take several months. Once it's complete, you're ready to have a child placed in your home.

6. Be aware of state laws concerning final adoption. In most states, the child must live with you for six months before the adoption can be finalized. Your agency will provide support and guidance, or you may wish to retain an attorney for the finalization process.

Tips & Warnings

• You may elect to adopt without an agency. This is called independent adoption. To do this, you must first familiarize yourself with your state laws regarding adoption, and retaining an attorney to advise you is a good idea. You are responsible for locating a birth mother who may wish to put her child up for adoption.
• With independent adoptions, it's customary for the adopting parents to pay for the mother's medical expenses, home study fees and, in some states, counseling fees for the mother. Often, the cost for independent adoption is as much as that for private agency adoption.

[deesource]

on 7/29/2009 As an adoptive mother of two, I would add that it's important to do your research before adopting. There are very good websites like adoption.com, Adoption Voices, and Adoption Under One Roof. I have found other parents to be my best source of unbiased information.

I would also like to add that I don't think it's advisable to adopt internationally without using an agency or skilled facilitator. Russia has changed its laws so you have to use a Hague accredited agency, which is a good thing, because I know people who were scammed by facilitators and agencies.

[S56Pell]

on 2/27/2009 Adoption can seem to be a long drawn out process but if you do your research, you'll realize there are many different options. You don't need a lawyer or an agency if you know the child you'd like to adopt. I adopted my little cousins baby boy. It was simple.Sandyhttp://www.rapidadoption.com/services_step_parent_adoption.html

[Tehilliahwriter]

on 12/23/2008 Great Information! I was adopted as a child and was not told what the process consisted of by my parents. I was very fortunate and blessed to find a family that would love my brother and I unconditionally!!! I believe in adoption and may do it sometime in the future.

Thank you for your vast knowledge

Blessings and Favor,

Tehilliahwriter

[Beveronius]

on 12/19/2008 Also, there are some states where the finalization period can vary - even be much less than 6 months. Anyone adopting msut realize that if they are adopting out of state, that you have to abide first and foremost by where the adoption is taking place.

[Beveronius]

on 12/19/2008 Adoption agencies can cost $40,000 or more depending on the size and location. My husband and I adopted independently and we could not be happier! We went through Christian Adoption (www.christianadoption.com). The coordinator is wonderful!!!