More than 100,000 children are adopted every year, and hundreds of thousands more are waiting to be adopted. Before you can adopt these children you need to get a home study from a licensed agency. Once you're approved as adoptive parents, there are many resources you can use to find a child to adopt.
Instructions
Finding Infants for Adoption
1. Contact licensed adoption agencies. All adoptions require a home study done by a licensed agency, so an adoption inquiry should start with how you can be approved to adopt. However, many women facing an unplanned pregnancy also turn to adoption agencies for support and assistance in finding a suitable family for their babies.
2. Check with lawyers. Lawyers often represent women who are pregnant and wanting to place their baby for adoption. It's not recommended that you retain the services of the same lawyer the woman is using. But, if a lawyer has a client looking for an adopting family, he can help connect you to her as well as recommend a lawyer to represent you. In most cases, you'll cover the fees for both attorneys.
3. Network with friends and family. Many adoptions have occurred because a family told their friends about their plans and one of those friends knew of a woman who was pregnant and wanting to place her baby for adoption. Tell everyone, your co-workers, fellow church members, family and friends.
4. Advertise in the paper and online, but be aware that this can be risky for several reasons. There are con-artists that prey on adoptive couples. Also, there are laws governing how adoptions take place, including what adoptive parents can pay for to help birth mothers and counseling requirements for birth mothers. If you use this method to find a pregnant woman who intends to place her baby for adoption, get her and yourself two separate lawyers or an adoption agency right away. Following adoption laws is vitally important to ensure a safe and secure placement for the baby.
Finding Older Children or Siblings to Adopt
5. Become a foster-to-adopt parent. There are half a million children in the foster care system. About 25 percent of them need an adoptive family. These children are often referred to as "special needs" but the term covers everything from children over 4 years old, sibling groups, as well as medical and emotional issues. Anything that can hinder a child from being adopted is generally referred to as special needs. Adopting through your local Department of Social Services is more affordable than private agency or lawyer adoptions, and there is financial assistance in raising the child if needed.
6. Check photo listings of children online. Many Departments of Social Services as well as private adoption organizations post listings of children waiting to be adopted. When you see a child you are interested in adopting, you can contact the organization for information. In most cases, the organization will only talk to your home study social worker.
7. Travel abroad. Many countries have opened their borders to allow foreigners to adopt their children. Some of these children live in orphanages while others are in foster care or group home environments. The kids range in age from 12 months to teens. It's possible to adopt siblings or two or more non-related children. International adoption is more expensive--it not only requires a home study, but assistance of an international adoption agency, and in most cases travel at least once to the foreign country.
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