Adoption Process

The process for someone wanting to adopt a child

Hopefully, your adoption experience will be one of the most rewarding events of your life. It may also prove to be one of the most frustrating, complicated and time-consuming events as well. Successfully adopting a child will take a strong a commitment of time, money, and love. Each adoption shares many similarities, but each adoption is unique as well. All the factors involved in an adoption influence the process - where you live, they type of adoption you choose, your hopes and desires, and the birth parents wants and needs. The following article will cover the basic information that is common to most adoptions and will list some of the possible adoption decisions you will have to make. Hopefully you will find it helpful in understanding the adoption process a little bit better.

Basic Steps of an Adoption

While the details differ from adoption to adoption, the following steps are very similar in the majority of adoptions:

Learn all you can about adoption issues. It is important to become educated on the special issues that confront adoptive families. This can be done by reading articles and books, attending adoption and parenting workshops, talking to adoption counselors, talking to other adoptive families you know, or attending adoption support meetings.

Arrange finances to pay for adoption expenses. Adoption can be very expensive, so it is important to work out financial plans so that you are able to pay for the expenses that accompany the adoption process.

Choose what type of adoption you want. This choice is based on whether you prefer a confidential (closed) type of adoption or an open type of adoption. A confidential adoption is one where the birth parents and adoptive parents never know each other, although important background and medical information of the birth parents may still be passed on if it can be helpful in the care of the child. An open adoption is one where the birth parents and adoptive parents know something about each other, but the level of openness can vary based on the preferences of the families involved.

Select an adoption agency, adoption intermediary, and/or adoption attorney. You will first need to find out what methods of adoption are allowed in your state, then you will need to select the path you are going to take. The options include public agency adoptions, licensed private agency adoptions (domestic and international), independent adoptions without an intermediary, independent adoptions with an adoption facilitator (allowed in only a few states), independent adoptions with an attorney or other intermediary as allowed by law. Many adoptive parents choose to go thru an adoption agency, but some choose to take a more independent approach. As the adoption process is complex and overwhelming, an agency that is able to handle all the aspects that accompany adoption can be very beneficial. If you choose an agency adoption, you will start by completing their application form. If you are pursuing an independent adoption, you will still need to contact an attorney to handle the legal matters and make sure you comply with the state adoption laws. Adoptions over state lines must comply with the adoption laws in both states before you can take possession of the child.

Begin the Pre-Placement (home study) process. The home study is a process that all adoptive families must complete if they want to adopt a child. The details vary from state to state, but a favorable recommendation from a social services representative is required before an adoptive family qualifies for adoption. For the unsuspecting, the process can seem extremely intrusive. It's important to be prepared and allow time for the process to take place. A home study usually involves an evaluation of the adoptive parents relationship, inspection of the living conditions and home environment, employment, physical health, mental health, financial situation, criminal background checks. You may be asked to write a letter about you and/or your partners interests and hobbies, hopes and dreams, strengths and weaknesses. Participating in adoption counseling is often required as well.

Be matched with a child. If the adoption is being handled by an agency, they will match you with a child. If you are adopting without an agency, you will need to find a child. This may be a child you locate on your own thru independent methods, thru an intermediary or facilitator, or thru an attorney. Once you are matched to a child, you will want to finalize the adoption agreement and start your arrangements to bring the child home.

Legal Issues. When a child is located and an agreement in worked out, your attorney will file the required legal motions and petitions to begin the adoption process. Once you have the child, your attorney will file papers for the new birth certificate and to finalize the adoption. A Post-Placement report must be completed by Social Services and presented to the court before the adoption is finalized.

Issues that Can Complicate an Adoption

Most issues that can complicate an adoption are able to be resolved, but they must be handled properly. In the situations where special circumstances are protected by various laws, it is necessary to make sure that all legal requirements are met. Be careful in these situations:

• If the birth father is unknown, unavailable, or unconsenting to the adoption
• With mental incompetency and if duress or fraud might be possible
• If either the birth mother or birth father is a minor
• If the child is coming from another state or country
• If a birth parent is enlisted in the US Military
• If one of the birth parents is a Native American or Native Alaskan
• If there has been a request or offer of money (other than for medical/legal expenses)

Planning a Smooth Child Transfer in Adoptions

Adoption is extremely emotional for both the birth parents and their families as well as for the adoptive families. In order to help with a smooth transfer of the child, it helps to use the services of an adoption counselor and adoption mediator that are skilled in this area. A plan should be worked out in advance that addresses everyone's feelings and concerns and makes it as easy as possible for everyone involved. The birth parents and their families may want to have time to say good-bye to the child. Then it will be time for you (the adoptive family) to welcome your new child into his or her new home.