Things You'll Need:
- Lawyer
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Step 1
Research as much as you can about the adoption process. You will need to make some important decisions such as whether you want to adopt the child within the US or abroad. Also research how much the adoption process will cost, and how long will it take depending on the type of adoption you are seeking.
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Step 2
Hire a lawyer to guide you through the entire legal procedure of the adoption process. This is important because the requirements and adoption laws for adopting a child are different in each state in the United States, as well as internationally.
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Step 3
Select a licensed adoption agency to work with, and fill out an adoption application.
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Step 4
Complete an adoption home study, in which a social worker prepares a written evaluation based on the interview he conducts with you, your references, and visits to your home. It generally covers some of the following topics: criminal background, employment, financial position, family life, health problems or disabilities and the home environment.
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Step 5
Prepare a dossier for international adoption, which includes the home study documents, birth certificates, marriage certificates and divorce certificates. Your agency can provide you with a full list of documents that will be needed.
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Step 6
Select a child you would like to meet and interact with. Your agency worker will work with other agency workers who represent children to find the best fit. Once you're approved to meet the child, you can obtain more confidential information about the child so that you can finalize your decision.
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Step 7
Get approved to adopt the child. The child will then be placed in your home and you've become a new parent.
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Step 8
Finalize the adoption in a final court hearing, in which the judge reviews all supporting information about the child, her biological parents and the adopting parents. The judge will either approve or disapprove the petition to adopt. If the adoption is approved, an Adoption Decree is issued.
