How to Research Adoption Agencies

If you're about to embark on the road to adoption, you probably have a few agencies in mind. These agencies may be international, religious, private or state run. You may even be considering several in each category. In order to narrow down your decision to just one, you're going to have to do some research. Research will help you determine the agency with the policies, procedures and prices that are the best fit for you.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Research available information about the agencies you're considering. Be on the lookout for both glowing testimonials from happy adoptive parents and complaints from those who feel the agency wronged them.
2. Join adoption discussion boards and chat rooms on the Internet. You'll have the opportunity to talk with other adoptive parents who are either currently working with your prospective agencies or have in the past. Find out about their experiences and get their opinions.
3. Look at the websites of agencies you're considering. Read about their adoption procedures and see how much they charge for their services. Look at their placement rates and find out how long it takes for a typical couple to be matched with a child.
4. Request literature from the agencies you like the most. This literature can be mailed to your home address in most cases or sent to you via email.
5. Call the adoption agencies on your short list. Ask to speak with an adoption counselor. Ask any questions you may still have, paying particular attention to the tone and manner of the counselor. If she's rude, indifferent or shifty, this is probably not the agency you want to handle your adoption.
6. Pay a surprise visit to your top adoption agency choices. Showing up in person, without advanced notification, is a good way to see just how the agency operates. The way the agency treats you when you arrive is a good indicator of its suitability.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't totally discount an agency on your list just because your research uncovers a few complaints about it. People who have been turned down as prospective parents by an adoption agency will sometimes make a public fuss in an attempt to retaliate against the agency. Agencies sometimes have to make tough decisions about a couple's suitability as parents, and not everyone is pleased with those decisions. However, if you find multiple complaints against an agency, especially if those complaints are dealing with the same issue, you may want to cross that agency off of your list.