What are the steps in adoption?

Question

What are the steps in adoption?

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

It depends on where you are adopting from and what method you are choosing.

You can adopt by way of foster care.  This method will cost you virtually nothing.  You would have to attend foster parenting classes offered by your local county's department of social services (or other similar agencies) and then be approved.

You can go through an adoption agency.  Some spcifically deal with domestic adoptions (adopting from within the US), international adoptions, or both (like Bethany Christian Services).

If you know of a birthmother or couple who made a plan of adoption and want you to adopt, then you can go through an attorney who will advise you as to what you need.

Typically, the adoption process would consist of an interview of you and if you have one your spouse.  You would have to attend some classes, submit a budget, submit to a criminal background check, and have a home study completed.

Answer 3

If you are asking what some of the requirements are, you need to start doing your research somewhere else, as they vary per state/country, etc.,

I would recommend that you check out some of your local adoption agencies, and see if they are hosting any seminars on adoption, most do from time to time.  From that, you will learn that there are many things that you must accomplish, prior to being deemed suitable for adoption.

The homestudy takes the most time to complete, but the wait for your placement, no matter how long is the hardest part.

Answer 4

I would visit with an attorney first, or find a reputable adoption agency. I don't know where you are from, but there in an agency in Texas called The Edna Gladney Center. I have a cousin who adopted a child from there. I would start there whether you are wanting to adopt or if you or someone you know is wanting to put a child up for adoption. Good Luck either way.

Answer 5

adopting?

Answer 6

Which type of adoption are you asking about?

The process varies. There are three major types: adoption from foster care; domestic infant adoption; and international adoption.

Within those types, there are different processes depending on whether you use an agency or adopt straight through the county (for fost adoption); whether you use an agency or an attorney (for domestic infant adoption); and depending on which country you choose (for international adoption).

For all types of adoption, you'll have to have a homestudy before adopting. In most types, you'll also need to attend informational sessions at an agency.

Different agencies have different requirements, and different countries have different requirements.

I'm sorry, it's just that it's impossible to answer this question fully without knowing what type of adoption you are talking about. If you're not sure which type you want, then that is your first step.... research, research, research, and figure out which type of adoption you want.

Oh, and.... please disregard the advice to go to Gladney. Please. That agency has serious ethical issues. If you do decide on domestic infant adoption, you'll need to look hard for a good agency with good ethics.

Answer 7

1.  Spend at least two weeks thinking about what you want.  What age, s*x, race, nationality, etc. you are looking for.  Also, do some research to determine if you can come up with the $20,000 - $30,000 that it is likely to cost.

2.  Go to www.adoptionattorneys.org and find an attorney in your area.  Meet with the attorney and discuss EXACTLY what you want out of the adoption.   Do not let the attorney know how much or how little money you can come up with.  Let the attorney give you the numbers.

3.  Fill out the necessary paperwork, including requests for background checks in every state that you have lived in for the past 7-10 years (depending upon the state).

4.  Have the home study completed.  This includes interviews with you and your spouse (if applicable), at least one home visit, and attendance at a training seminar.

5.  Complete your profile.  This is basically a marketing tool that you will create to be sent to potential birth mothers.

6.  The lawyer will contact you whenever a child/birth mom that fits your criteria is identified.  If you give the go ahead, your profile will be sent to the appropriate person.

7.  If the birth mom/agency chooses your profile, you will need to fill out some more paperwork and pay the necessary fees.

8.  You will go pick up your new child.  If the child is in another state, you will need to wait until the interstate agreements are final to bring the child back home.

9.  You fill out the paperwork to get the birth certificate changed to the name that you gave (if applicable) and you will fill out the paperwork to officially petition for adoption.

10.  You will go before a judge and have all of the paperwork and everything reviewed and finalized.

11.  You will wait.  In about 5 months, you will get a letter that says that the adoption is final, and the baby is yours.

After #11 is complete, there is NOTHING that can take the baby away from you.  That is the reason for such a long wait.  It is to give time for anyone that wants to contest the adoption to do so.