Criteria for adopting a child?

Question

My cousin is very interested in adopting a child. However, she's not married. She told me she think this would be a problem. Is this true?

Can anyone tell me the general criteria for adopting a child?

And can a person of a certain nationality adopt a child from another country?

Answer 1

She can do it if she has a job n not trouble w/ da law

Answer 2

She does not have to be married in order to adopt.  Many single men and woman are adopting.  Whomever she plans to adopt from will come to her home and do a home study.  Every state and agency have different criterias.

Answer 3

http://adoption.about.com/od/adopting/a/...

Hope the above link helps

Answer 4

Angalina adopted as a single parent.. she had lots of money tho... maybe try fostering a child, can do this as a single person.t

Answer 5

Regulations vary from state to state. According to the National Foster Parents Association website, basic requirements for fostering (which are usally similar to the requirements for adoption) usually include:

    * completion of an application for family home license

    * background check, criminal history check and finger

         printing of each adult member of the household

    * family stability

    * home inspection and personal interview

    * character references

    * minimum age of applicant: 21

    * prior to licensure/certification pre-service training

         (please see state requirements section)

Answer 6

Maybe she should think about adopting a child within her own community. Adopting a child from another country might take years. There are many children in my community, Decatur, Alabama that need love and and a safe home. I myself, have spent time in the foster care system, and I can say that there aren't many parents willing to adopt here.

Answer 7

One of my coworkers has a daughter who is adopting a little boy. She is single. I would hire a Family Law Attorney who can help with that and give more information. Typically they look at the income, what type of home you have, how well you can care for the child financially, etc. - I'm not sure about adopting in other countries but I do know you typically have to go there to the other country several times on your own dime. I used to work in a Family Law firm and have seen many happy adoptions!

Answer 8

The requirements vary depending on what program you use...adopting from foster care, domestic private adoption, international adoption, etc.

Generally, for foster care and domestic adoption you get a homestudy and once approved can adopt.  Single people CAN adopt, but it might take longer to find someone in a private adoption that would want to give their child to a single parent.  Other requirements generally are that the parent be atleast 25, have a steady income and stable home, no history of child abuse or neglect, no serious criminal record, and can provide for the child's health and education as well as other needs.

As a single parent they (the homestudy agent-a social worker) will ask questions such as how they will handle work and an infant/toddler or a sick child, who else will be a major influence in the child's life, whether or not you plan to get married or have a serious relationship and where your child would fit into that, etc.

The requirements to adopt internationally vary by country.  We intend to adopt from China, and I know that as of a few months ago the new requirements issued by CCAA (China Center for Adoption Affairs) requires a married couple-no singles.  But there are other countries that allow adoption of children by singles.  You have to meet the requirements of not only your state to adopt internationally, but also the requirements of the other country AND additional requirements imposed by the USA in order to bring an adopted child into this country with a Visa.

I think your cousin should contact an adoption agency.  Many have free seminars.  She can learn about the various programs, ask questions of the officials, speak with parents who have been there/done that.  Then, she can determine what is best for her and move from there.

I do hope she knows that domestic adoption of an infant can take years and cost tens of thousands of dollars.  International adoption is also costly, but the timeline varies depending on country (some are approximately a year, some take several).

Adopting from foster care costs little, if anything.  The timeframe would depend on the age, etc. that she requests.  She could be placed with an older child or sibling group almost immediately after getting her homestudy approved, and foster them until the adoption becomes final.

Good luck to her!  Adoption is a wonderful thing.