Adoption is a serious, lifelong commitment.
Not every child gets to grow up with a parent. However, with the help of especially caring individuals who are willing to adopt them, orphans can know what it is like to have a parent. If you feel like you can handle the responsibility of adopting an orphan from an orphanage or the foster care system, you must go through a number of steps before the actual adoption.
Initial Contact
The first step in any adoption procedure is to make your initial contact with the agency through which you will be adopting the orphan. Regardless of if you are looking to adopt an orphan domestically or from an orphanage in another country, contacting the organization that handles the adoption process will initiate the process by providing you with the information about the specific steps you must complete before you are approved as an adoptive parent.
Orientation
While the specifics of these orientations will vary from organization to organization, after you make your initial contact these orientations will provide you with detailed information about the organization's process for adoption, the legal requirements and procedures in your particular state, and any special governmental restrictions or requirements for international adoption. You will hear about the challenges that will come with adopting a child, and get the opportunity to ask questions you may have about the entire adoption process, including special steps you need to take to adopt a child internationally, and about raising an adopted child. These orientations will help you make a fully informed decision about whether you want to go through the adoption process, and whether you are prepared to take on the great responsibility that comes with adopting an orphan.
Application
After you have learned about the process through the orientations and have decided that you still want to go through the process of adopting, you will complete a formal application to become an adoptive parent through the particular organization. This will include information about the reason why you want to become an adoptive parents, financial information to confirm that you can provide for the adoptive child, a background check for any criminal records, character references and other information to help the organization determine if it wants to entrust you with the long-term care and well-being of an orphaned child.
Evaluation
After you complete a formal application, a representative from the adoption organization will come to your home. During this time, the representative will inspect your home to ensure that it is a safe environment for a child, interview members of your household and interview you about the hard details of adoption. This is a time for a hard reality check for whether you are really ready for the challenges of adoption, or simply an individual whose heart is in the right place. These will include discussions about the adoption's impact on your personal, family and professional life. The discussion will also cover what types of children your particular situation would best allow you to care for. If you successfully complete this final evaluation, the agency will give you the information about proceed with adopting a child.
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