If you are planning an adoption, consider looking domestically in the United States.
Adopting domestically in the United States remains a viable option for thousands of families searching for children of all ages. Adoptive Families magazine reports a study estimating that there are approximately 20,000 infants placed for adoption in the United States per year, not to mention older children who are looking for a family. There is a protocol that must be followed, and completed step by step, to become eligible to adopt a child.
Instructions
1. Investigate the adoption options available to you and your family. (Reference 1) Make a list of what you are hoping for when looking to add to your family through adoption, including age range, sex, and ethnicity of your adoptive child. Decide whether you are interested in pursuing an open adoption, which means there would be some level of contact maintained with the birth parent or parents. Deciding on the basic premise of what you are looking for in an adoption, at the beginning of the process, will make it easier to choose an agency and eventually a child.
2. Search for an adoption agency in your state that meets your requirements. Start by asking trusted friends and family members about any adoption agency with whom they have had experience. If you cannot find any personal contacts, you can look in the phone book or on-line. Call and set up interviews with agencies and request references from other parents who have used the agency. Be sure to ask questions regarding fees, family assessment, ongoing adoption support, time lines for the adoptions, and whether they are licensed by your state. Private adoption, generally done through lawyer who mediates between you and the birth mother, is another pathway to adoption within the United States.
3. After choosing an adoption agency or attorney, a home study will be required. A home study attempts to ensure a child will be placed in a fit environment. To prepare for the home study, collect all the necessary paperwork for your family, including birth certificates, marriage licenses, background checks, references, proof of income, and any other pertinent information requested by your adoption agency or attorney. Your agent will come to check your house for proper living conditions. The assessing agent will also be evaluating your mental and emotional state to be sure you are prepared for the challenges of adopting a child into your family.
4. Once you have met the mandated state requirements, the adoption agent will present biographical sketches of children or women who are about to give birth and would like to place their baby for adoption. Once you have selected a child, the child's agent will assess your information and decide whether you are a good match. Remember, the time line for this part of the domestic adoption process varies. Avoid discouragement, as this is a long process and the first child you choose may not be a good fit.
5. Visit your child at his temporary placement home. You will probably get to meet with your child several times before placement to help get to know each other and make the child more comfortable in your care. One of the major benefits of a domestic adoption is proximity to the child before adoption to allow everyone to be more comfortable together. If you are adopting a newborn, you may spend this time meeting with the birth mother throughout her pregnancy, possibly participating in her prenatal care or attending the birth. These details must be worked out with the agency in an agency adoption or between the birth and adoptive parents, along with the attorney, in a private adoption.
6. After bringing a child home, the adoption will not be finalized until you go to court to receive a new birth certificate naming you as the parent, but building a relationship with your child starts as soon as the child is brought home. If an agency was used, they should have programs in place to assist both parents and child in this adjustment period. Take advantage of any groups or counseling services offered.
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