Making the decision to build your family through adoption is only the first of many decisions you'll be making as you move through this journey. By educating yourself about the different options for adoption you'll be able to make the best choices for bringing a new child into your family based on criteria including gender, race, finances and age.
International Adoption
There are many different countries from which you can choose to adopt. Adoption numbers from Guatemala surpassed China in 2008 according to statistics kept by the Child Welfare Information Gateway, although Chinese adoptions remained in second place followed by adoptions from Russia, South Korea and Ethiopia. Children range in age, and programs vary from country to country. Check with specific agencies to see if they have an adoption program with the country from which you'd like to adopt, as not all agencies handle international adoptions from all countries.
Domestic Open Adoption
A domestic open adoption is an arrangement in which the birth family and the adoptive family exchange some identifying information. Prior to placement, both sets of parents will make decisions about sending letters or having meetings after the child is born. Open adoption is not co-parenting, though, as the birth parents' parental rights are terminated. Most children available through domestic open adoption are infants or newborns.
Domestic Closed Adoption
A closed adoption usually means that no identifying information is exchanged between birth family and adoptive family, and there are no meetings or letter or photo exchanges. Adoptive families may still have medical histories and some other information, but it will not include names or addresses or other identifying information. In addition, the birth parents may also get some information about the adoptive parents, without identifying information.
Foster to Adopt
This usually involves children in the foster care system with parents whose rights have not yet been terminated. The foster family has agreed to adopt the child once those rights are terminated. In some cases, the birth parents are fighting the termination of their rights, so disruption is possible.
Waiting Child Adoption
Children involved in these types of adoption are usually older and are living in family foster care or a shelter. They are available for adoption and may have challenges, including a history of abuse or neglect or intellectual and emotional challenges. Sometimes there are sibling groups that are required to be adopted together or with assurances that a relationship can continue.
