Welcoming an adopted child into your family is a multi-step process that can take many months. Before you can even begin the adoption process, you must first decide if you want to adopt a child from the United States or another country. To maximize your chances to become an adoptive parent, flexibility regarding the age, sex and race of a child is essential and can help speed the process.
Types
Adoptions can be conducted by working with a private adoption agency in the U.S. or an international agency. Becoming a foster parent and adopting a child through the foster care program is another avenue to becoming a parent. Adoptions can also be arranged privately between you and the birth parents. You can find birth parents on your own or by working with an attorney who specializes in private adoptions. If you are open to adopting a child from another country, you can choose a private agency that specializes in international adoptions.
Homestudy
Before being approved for an adoption, you must undergo and pass a homestudy. A homestudy is a series of meetings between you and a social worker. The purpose of the homestudy is to ensure that you are fully prepared for an adoption. During the course of the homestudy, the social worker will visit you at home, inspect your home and ask you questions concerning your feelings about parenthood, your views on discipline methods, what you expect from the adoption process, your religious or ethical background, drug and alcohol use and your job situation. You will be asked to provide the agency with several documents, including birth, marriage or divorce certificates, child abuse clearances, tax returns, the results of a medical examination and personal references.
The Search
After passing a homestudy, the adoption agency will allow you to search for children in its databases and recommend possible matches. If you are handling an adoption on your own, you can find children available for adoption by placing ads in large newspapers throughout your state. ParentsWanted.com recommends consulting an attorney to determine if private adoptions are permitted by your state before paying for advertisements. According to a March 10, 2009 CNN article by Stephanie Chen, some prospective parents are uploading videos to Youtube.com detailing their desire to become parents.
Making a Decision
When you find a child who interests you and whom your agency feels is a good match, you will be provided with a detailed profile on the child. After you review the profile, you will be given the opportunity to meet the child if you are using a U.S. agency. If you are participating in an international adoption, you may not meet the child until you bring him home. If you are successful in locating a child or pregnant mother through a private search, you can begin to discuss the legalities and financial aspects of the adoption.
Considerations
No matter which method you choose to adopt a child, you can expect to spend a considerable amount of money on the process. A 2007/2008 survey by Adoptive Families found that the average total cost of an adoption was between $25,000 and $30,000.
