How to Find a Private Adoption
If you are seeking a baby you can legally adopt and raise as your own, private adoption is a good avenue to explore. There are many private agencies in the United States today that help match up pregnant birth mothers with loving homes for their unborn child. The process can be long, complicated and also very expensive, but at the end when you have a newborn to hold, it will be worth it all.
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Instructions
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Do a search online for private agencies in your area that are reputable. Check references and make sure the agency is legitimate. Also talk to couples who have used the agency to see if they were satisfied with the practices. A private agency basically serves as a "middleman" between you and the birth parent(s).
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You aren't limited to agencies that work in your state, but be prepared for more paperwork and time if you adopt a baby from out of your state. This is because you may have more red tape to get through since adoption requirements can vary from state to state. In addition, some states prohibit same sex couples from adopting, or have other restrictions, so do your homework in advance.
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Ask how long the wait is for a baby. The typical time for a domestic adoption can be anywhere from a year to several years or more. A lot depends on the size of the agency and how many parents are in line ahead of you.
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Be prepared to come up with money for agency fees, costs for the paperwork and legal representation and also to cover the birth mother's various health and living expenses. Keep in mind this can often cost you in the range of $20,000 to $40,000 or more, but if you get a birth mother who has health insurance, some agencies are willing to reduce your costs since you won't need to cover the labor expenses. Also ask about such details up front.
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Get all of the costs and fees in writing before you agree to work with any agency. Have a lawyer go over the paperwork to make sure everything looks in order. This is too important an arrangement not to protect your investment from every angle.
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You will need to take parenting classes and have a case worker assess your home to make sure it is appropriate for raising a child. Be prepared to do some work to show you are ready and eager to add a new member to your family.
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Ask agencies if they offer any type of sliding scale fee, which means they would be willing to adjust the costs based on your income. Some agencies do offer this type of help. In addition, find out if you are eligible for any financial assistance. You may even be able to get some tax breaks, so talk to a trained accountant or financial professional for help in this area.
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Tips & Warnings
When you arrange a private adoption, understand that not all of the costs are fixed. If you are covering the birth mother's expenses and her pregnancy or labor is complicated, you may end up being responsible for more bills than you had anticipated. This is just an unavoidable part of the process.
There is a trend toward "open" adoptions today, which means sharing information about the biological parents with the child and perhaps even allowing contact. Decide how you feel about this before making such an agreement.
There are many reliable agencies in operation today but there are also some that are looking to prey on eager would-be parents. Take steps to protect yourself and know who you are working with before handing over any money.
