If you adopted....?

Question

How old do you have to be to adopt a kid? How much money do you have to make to adopt a kid? Can you be single to adopt a kid? Can you name the kid that you adopted? THANKS!

Answer 1

I like T-Bone's answer.  She knows what she's talking about.  I'd add that, although you CAN adopt while single, I wouldn't recommend it unless you're independently wealthy (i.e. don't have to work), and have a great support system of people you trust who would be willing to give you respite care (i.e. babysit).  

Also, yes you CAN change the name, but I wouldn't recommend it.  Adopted children are taken from their families without having any say in the matter, and regardless of how "bad" their family might be, they are still the adoptee's flesh and blood - don't rename them.  They need that connection to themselves, and their roots.  Changing their name sends the message that who they are is "bad", and needs to be changed to fit who YOU are.  

One last thing:  adopting through foster care is free in most states, and very low cost in others.

Answer 2

Minimum age to adopt is 18, but the child must be at least 15 years younger than you. So if you are 18 you can adopt a newborn up to a 3 year old. The amount of money you make is not very important. They just want to make sure you have enough to support yourself and the baby.  So if you don't have that many bills you can make less then someone who owes thousands in credit card debt etc.  

The agency I went through allows for singles, couples, g**s, etc. to adopt.  They just care that you can provide a safe and loving home.

You can name the baby you adopt. The part about the adoption that I thought was strange was that here in California when you adopt the hospital does a birth certificate like normal listing the birth mother as the mother etc. But once the adoption is finalized, that first birth certificate is taken out of public records and replaced with one that lists the adoptive mother.  For instance I adopted my son when he was a newborn and the final birth certificate actually shows me on it. It was almost like I gave birth to him.

Answer 3

Actually a lot of children that are in the foster system are interested in single mothers.  If you want an older child, it shouldn't be very difficult to adopt one.  You have to be 21 in my state to adopt.  You'll have to check in with your local social services department to find out how everything works in your state.

Answer 4

(yawn)

Answer 5

Adoption guidelines vary in different agencies and countries. We are a married couple and adopted from Eastern Europe. We are middle class...not rich. Our neighbor is a single mother in her 30's  and she has a daughter from Guatemala. She is a nurse. In our area, birth mothers are encouraged to choose from potential families the one they want to adopt their baby. Some may want a rich family, some may want the mother to be a stay-at-home Mom, some may want a certain ethnicity or religion for their child to be raised and some may just choose a family because they favor her in appearance. You would really have to research and decide if this is what you want. Then, pick a local agency that you can work with. They can answer your questions and you can make an informed decision then. Just because a couple is married while adopting doesn't mean they will always be. Please do not count yourself out simply because you are not married.

Our daughter was 4 when we adopted her. We kept her first name as her middle name and gave her a new first name. We continued to use her Eastern European name until she slowly changed it to her new one. She is proud of her heritage but loves her "new" American name, too.

Best wishes.

Answer 6

At least 21 yo. at least be able to support yourself and child. Yes you can be single parent and adopt child there are lost of children this day and age in foster care looking for a caring parent/parents. Yes you can but if child is older then it would be cruel to do so. Might I make a suggestion call your local Family and Children Service office and ask about foster caring just so you'll  have an idea of what your getting into. I found it very rewarding, giving love to a child who is in need.

Answer 7

well @ my animal shelter you have to be at least 21.

so id say at least 21/

adopting kids is a LONG and expansive process.

id say at least 10,000$

yes im pretty sure you can. if they aren't used to it

Answer 8

You need to be a stable adult. Usually stable means you are married and have good income to be able to support the child. Unless you are adopting a relative, you are going to have a very hard time adopting a child while unmarried.

You can name the child if you adopt a baby. If the child is older and already has a name, it would be cruel to change it.