If you've ever thought about adopting an infant before, you know that the process is a long and very complicated journey. Many adoptive parents find that the process is stressful and difficult, but the time and effort is worth it, because adopting an infant gives that baby a new chance at life, and can give you and your family new purpose as well.
Benefits
The greatest benefit of adopting an infant is that you are giving a chance at a wonderful life to a baby who might not otherwise grow up knowing a family. Another benefit of adopting a baby is that while the baby is so young, she can get to know you so that she becomes comfortable with you as she grows older. Sometimes it is hard for older children to adjust to new homes.
Requirements
According to the organization Adoptions Together, a person must be at least 25 years old to adopt an infant. Some agencies require that a couple be married if they wish to adopt. Adoption agencies also require you to be physically and emotionally healthy enough to care for an infant, so they sometimes require medical evaluations and home visits to inspect the safety of your house.
Adoption Facilitator
Many adoption agencies use adoption facilitators to help aid in adoptions. The adoption agency Adoption Paths, LLC explains that adoption facilitators are individuals who specialize in the adoption process and matching babies and children with adoptive parents. Some agencies use attorneys to do the same functions as adoption facilitators, which are basically educating the family and facilitating contact, if any, with the birth parents.
Wait Time
Though many adoptive parents are anxious to bring home the babies that they have chosen to adopt, Adoption Paths, LLC states that the average time it takes to adopt a baby is one year. Depending on the specific situation, the wait time may be shorter or longer. They also explain that longer wait times are typical if your criteria for a baby is very narrow, such as a blond 6-month-old baby with hazel eyes.
Costs
Adoptions Together states that many, though not all, adoption agencies require the adoptive parents to attend and pay for a course on the adoption process before the process begins. Adoptions Together's pre-adoption course costs $1,450 as of 2010. They also base their fees for adoption on a sliding scale based on income, which rages anywhere from $9,000 to $21,000 to adopt a baby. Not all agencies base adoption fees on income.
