I want to adopt a child...?

Question

I was adopted from a forigen country myself (El Salvador) and I always knew that I wanted to adopt 1 or 2 children myself, forigen or US born (not sure yet). What steps do I need to take? Thanks :)

Answer 1

You have several options & the steps would be different depending on which option you choose.

You could adopt from foster care.  To do this, contact your state office of child welfare (go to http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/reslist... to find the contact info).  They'll guide you through the steps.  You will likely go through foster/adoptive parent training classes, a criminal and child abuse background check, home visits, etc.  

If you choose to adopt domestically privately, you can contact an attorney or adoption agency to help you.  You will need to go through the home visits, etc. for the approval process and then your profile will be made available for a birth mother to choose from.  Your attorney or agency will guide you through the process.

If you choose to adopt internationally, I highly recommend that you choose an agency to work with.  You can go to http://travel.state.gov/family/adoption/... to research which country you might like to adopt from.  From there, Google "international adoption" and the country name to find agencies with programs in that country.  I'll describe how we chose our agency below -- you can use this info for private/domestic or international.

You can make a spreadsheet of the agencies that you can use to adopt.  Compare things like typical wait time, travel time, travel expenses that are projected, post adoption support, costs, etc.  From there come up with the top five agencies (or attorneys) you'd like to consider.  Call them and interview them, asking them questions that are important to you, getting a feel for their level of "customer service".  Ask for and call their references.  Ask tough questions like if they'd change anything about their experience, what the positives and negatives were about working with the agency and whether or not they'd use them again.  After that, research & find other families who've used them, too, (online) and contact them to ask the same questions.  Check the Better Business Bureau and see if they have complaints and how they were or were not resolved.

I hope this helps!

Answer 2

first consider that you need to find a good advocate and then he will tell you where to go...

Answer 3

I don't really have any suggestions on how to get the adoption process started.

I just wanted to say that I think you're wonderful!!!!! I was adopted too, and have always dreamed of adopting. I'm only 18, so obviously its not going to happen for a long time, but I just wanted to tell you that I think it's a great idea, and that if you really want this, to go for it no matter what anyone else says!

Good luck!!!!!

Answer 4

1st concider the age then the facilities they need

Answer 5

Ask your mom :)

Answer 6

ask your parents if they are still alive they will tell you, in case if they was not alive look in internet about adoption centers in your area.

Answer 7

Contact a local adoption agency.  They can meet with you and explain all of the options available - US vs international; open vs closed; etc.  

Good luck to you.

Answer 8

First do some research on licensed agencies that you might want to work with.  Check out their website and decide if you think that agency is right for you.  Sometimes agencies have informational meetings that you can go to for free to find out about the agency.  These meetings are very helpful!  Then decide where you would like to adopt from (USA or another country).  Then talk with the agency (or counselor at that agency) and get your list of things that you need to do.

We've been through the adoption process and it takes some research to understand all of your options.  good luck!

Answer 9

Get your home study done.  It is a relatively easy process, and it gives you a feeling of actually being in the adoption process.  You will need to have it done prior to doing much else anyway.

As far as foreign or domestic, that is completely up to you.

Once the home study is done, contact an attorney or agency.