Adoption can be the fulfillment of the dream of family. For those wishing to become parents and for the children that are in need of a family, adoption provides a lifelong relationship. Many people consider adoption, but feel they are unable to complete the process, and so give up before trying. Several options are available for someone who wishes to adopt a baby, and knowing the requirements makes the process achievable.
Desire And Choice
Potential parents facing an adoption of a baby must first make a choice of which type of adoption they would like to pursue. Infant adoption can be done domestically, through the foster care system or internationally. Parents should consider their own desires and openness for communication. Domestic adoptions usually involve open contact with a birth mother. International adoptions may have requirements for travel or may involve adopting a baby with a medical condition. Parents should consider their own desires for a child as a first step before beginning a journey into the adoption process.
Physical Health
Many agencies and countries have specific requirements about the health of prospective adoptive parents. A physical exam may be required to be done by a physician and documentation provided about the health of prospective parents. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, parents with disabilities may adopt.
Age Requirements
Age requirements vary depending on the type of adoption. International adoptions require that prospective parents are at least 25 years old. Within the United States, age requirements vary by state. According to the Child Welfare Information Gateway, six states require prospective parents to be 18, and three states require the minimum age to be 21. Parents should check with the laws of their state to determine eligibility for age requirements.
Background Checks
As a federal requirement, a background check is done for all prospective parents wishing to adopt. Anyone with a record of felony child abuse or neglect; violent crime; spousal abuse; or a crime against children is not eligible. Background checks are performed by fingerprint confirmation. In addition to federal requirements, state background checks may be performed against a sex offender registry. Requirements vary by state, so parents should confirm with their own state mandates about background checks.
Social Background
Domestic adoptions vary when examining the social background of prospective parents. Parents may be single, married, or divorced; those in committed relationships; gay and lesbian parents; and people with disabilities. International adoptions have different requirements, which vary by country criteria. Many countries allow adoptions by single women and men; those who are divorced; and married couples. Alternatively, committed relationships without legal marriage are not always accepted, and couples should check with their agency regarding specific adoption criteria.
Financial Requirements
Adoptions within the United States do not require a set income but depending on the placement situation, parents may need to pay for services of an agency or attorney. For an international adoption, minimum income requirements apply to show that prospective parents are fiscally responsible and can financially care for the adopted child. Minimum income requirements may vary by country, and parents should check with their agency about specific conditions.
References
- National Adoption Center: Are You Eligible to Adopt?
- Rainbow Kids: Who Can Adopt?
- United States Department of State: Who Can Adopt?
- Child Welfare Information Gateway: Criminal Background Checks for Prospective Foster and Adoptive Parents
- Child Welfare Information Gateway: Who May Adopt, Be Adopted, or Place a Child for Adoption?
