Many options exist that facilitate finding a child to adopt. Many people place newspaper advertisements aimed at women who wish to put their children up for adoption. Some people adopt children through their local foster care systems. Others adopt children from domestic or internationally based adoption agencies. Regardless of the method employed, finding and adopting a child can be a long, expensive process.
Agency Adoption
Step 1
Visit Adopting.org to review photo listings for children, categorized by state, region or country. Read the information carefully. If you find a child you are interested in, contact the agency, and follow the procedures given.
Step 2
Contact adoption agencies to ask about children in their care and their networking capabilities with other agencies. Although you will not be able to select a specific child until after entering into a formal agreement with the agency, you can find out whether they have children who meet your criteria (local, foreign, special needs, infants, older children and so forth).
While choosing an agency, look for one that offers training for adoptive parents and other services, such as postplacement support. Contact local support groups for adoptive parents to determine whether a particular agency will meet your needs. Read the fee agreement to verify that you understand and can afford the agency's services, and have an attorney review all agreements before you sign them.
Step 3
Complete a home study. A social worker from the agency will visit your home to determine whether you and your household are ready to adopt a child. Physical, financial and emotional factors will all be considered, so you will need to present birth certificates, marriage licenses, criminal record checks, financial records and work records/references. Once the home study has been completed and approved, make several copies to have available when approaching various agencies. This paperwork will help you get information on specific children available for adoption.
Alternatives
Step 1
Contact a local community service agency about becoming a foster parent. Many foster parents eventually adopt children placed in their care. The application process for becoming a foster parent is complex, much like the adoption process, and includes home and criminal background checks. Children placed in foster care mainly come from homes in which evidence of abuse or neglect exists. These children may have challenging behaviors and attitudes as a result.
Step 2
Place a newspaper classified advertisement to seek women who wish to put their unborn children up for adoption. Consult an attorney in your state to ensure all legal requirements for any resulting adoptions are met.
Step 3
Mention your desire to adopt to friends and relatives. They may know of a woman facing an unplanned pregnancy who wishes to place her child with a family. They may also have experience with adoption and/or foster care agencies or know someone who has.
Tips and Warnings
- Before you search for a child, think about what type of child you would be willing to adopt. Racially mixed, disabled or older children may be easier to find and to adopt. Countless children are available to adopt, so knowing your preferences will make the search process easier.
- Always work with a reputable attorney throughout the adoption process to ensure the process is legal and to protect your rights and your finances. Thoroughly research an agency before signing any agreements. The adoption process may take several years and involves many steps. It can be emotionally and financially draining: Several families may be hoping to adopt a particular child. Many factors may cause an adoption to not be completed, depending on the circumstances (for example, the birth mother could change her mind or a government may change its adoption laws).
Things You'll Need
- Birth certificates of all people in the household
- Marriage license (as applicable)
- Criminal record clearances (especially child abuse records)
- Financial records
- Personal and work references
