There are multiple kinds of adoption that are out there for American families.
It can be a little overwhelming. I have broken them down into categories to make it simplified in many ways. This is by no means a full list of everything you'd need to know, but it gives you an idea.
1) United States Adoptions can be broke up into several categories.
A) US Infant Adoption: This is the most popular in many ways. Typically the children referred are babies and newborns. Sometimes up to very young toddlers. When people imagine adoption in their heads, they usually envision this type of adoption. A young single mother who gives up their baby for adoption right at birth.
a. There are private or independent adoptions where one either knows the birth mother or hires an adoption lawyer who helps facilitate this process. Costs vary, but generally the child is more expensive the younger the child is. Many of the time, the wait is shorter with a lawyer-facilitated adoption, but it might be more expensive. In addition, some lawyers only help a handful of couples a year. One avenue of finding young babies is through the women's correctional facilities of the state, believe it or not. This might be a concern for some of you.
b. There are also agency adoptions where one works with an agency who will help find a baby for you. There are situations where an agency might be overbooked with families wanting babies. Some agencies do not require fees up front (these tend to get busy!) and others might have a small registration fee.
c. Within all adoptions in the US, there are open and closed adoptions. Open adoptions are becoming more popular. The birth family tends to choose the adoptive family and may or may not have a role in the child's life (usually photographs, letters and visitations...) Many people giving up babies for adoption prefer this as it is a smoother transition. There are also closed adoptions where communications do not exist and the adoptive family might know less about the birth family (and vice versa.)
B) US Foster Care Adoption: Contrary to popular belief, there are no "orphanages" in the United States. There are group homes, but even those are rare and tend to be for special needs children rather than true orphans. Most children are placed in foster families. You may think that all children in foster care are going to be troublesome, older, or special needs but this is not the case. There are children placed as babies within foster care as well as teenagers. Some with special needs but the majority do not. Foster Care adoptions are the least expensive, in fact, they tend to be VERY low-cost. Some states have financial benefits which you can apply for if you adopt within foster care. EVERY STATE has its own rules. Your own state might not allow single parents. Some states do not allow gay parent adoptions. Some do not allow families based on marital status. Some states have no official rules but some specific social workers might be prejudiced.
a. Contrary to popular belief, a social worker will not force a child on you. If that social worker does, then request a different case worker. You cannot be forced to take a child. Most social workers want to help children and will work with you to help place a child suited for your own home.
b. Children of all races are available in foster care. And ages. And backgrounds. Sibling groups are common but are difficult to place. One piece of advice is that social workers generally don't like to split up families. If you really want to adopt an infant, it might be more easily possible to take an infant and his or her toddler sibling for example. Infants and babies are available but they're sought after, so be warned! And, honestly, wouldn't it be nice to not have late night feedings? :)
c. A lot of websites have photolistings of children available. These are not all of the children available as many get placed right away. You need to contact your state agency and learn the process before being able to discuss adopting a child. By the time you're ready, a perfectly suited child might be just waiting! Go to AdoptUsKids.org for more information and to find state photolistings. It also never hurts to talk to your state agency to get information on workshops and seminars for interested families which should be no cost and will help answer some questions!
d. Most states have a list of requirements and pre-adoption classes you might have to take.
C) International adoptions: You thought that the US had options? International adoption has even more.
a. Not all countries allow for international adoption
b. Every country has its own rules
c. There are Hague vs. Non-Hague countries. Hague countries mean that you need to us an agency specifically registered to work within that other country. Non-Hague countries are such that independent adoptions are currently possible (but this will soon be ending!) and also work with different guidelines.
d. Some countries have less paperwork than others. Some cost more. Some have more babies. Some have longer waiting lists. Some countries have crazy governing bodies over these kids. Some countries don't give any help to orphans. Some countries have foster care. Some countries use orphanages.
Every country is different! I generally recommend using http://adoption.state.gov/ to learn more about each country. You might have your heart set on one country only to learn they do not allow adoptions. But maybe a neighboring country does!
Also, contact various agencies with countries you're interested in to learn about their programs.
It can be a little overwhelming. I have broken them down into categories to make it simplified in many ways. This is by no means a full list of everything you'd need to know, but it gives you an idea.
1) United States Adoptions can be broke up into several categories.
A) US Infant Adoption: This is the most popular in many ways. Typically the children referred are babies and newborns. Sometimes up to very young toddlers. When people imagine adoption in their heads, they usually envision this type of adoption. A young single mother who gives up their baby for adoption right at birth.
a. There are private or independent adoptions where one either knows the birth mother or hires an adoption lawyer who helps facilitate this process. Costs vary, but generally the child is more expensive the younger the child is. Many of the time, the wait is shorter with a lawyer-facilitated adoption, but it might be more expensive. In addition, some lawyers only help a handful of couples a year. One avenue of finding young babies is through the women's correctional facilities of the state, believe it or not. This might be a concern for some of you.
b. There are also agency adoptions where one works with an agency who will help find a baby for you. There are situations where an agency might be overbooked with families wanting babies. Some agencies do not require fees up front (these tend to get busy!) and others might have a small registration fee.
c. Within all adoptions in the US, there are open and closed adoptions. Open adoptions are becoming more popular. The birth family tends to choose the adoptive family and may or may not have a role in the child's life (usually photographs, letters and visitations...) Many people giving up babies for adoption prefer this as it is a smoother transition. There are also closed adoptions where communications do not exist and the adoptive family might know less about the birth family (and vice versa.)
B) US Foster Care Adoption: Contrary to popular belief, there are no "orphanages" in the United States. There are group homes, but even those are rare and tend to be for special needs children rather than true orphans. Most children are placed in foster families. You may think that all children in foster care are going to be troublesome, older, or special needs but this is not the case. There are children placed as babies within foster care as well as teenagers. Some with special needs but the majority do not. Foster Care adoptions are the least expensive, in fact, they tend to be VERY low-cost. Some states have financial benefits which you can apply for if you adopt within foster care. EVERY STATE has its own rules. Your own state might not allow single parents. Some states do not allow gay parent adoptions. Some do not allow families based on marital status. Some states have no official rules but some specific social workers might be prejudiced.
a. Contrary to popular belief, a social worker will not force a child on you. If that social worker does, then request a different case worker. You cannot be forced to take a child. Most social workers want to help children and will work with you to help place a child suited for your own home.
b. Children of all races are available in foster care. And ages. And backgrounds. Sibling groups are common but are difficult to place. One piece of advice is that social workers generally don't like to split up families. If you really want to adopt an infant, it might be more easily possible to take an infant and his or her toddler sibling for example. Infants and babies are available but they're sought after, so be warned! And, honestly, wouldn't it be nice to not have late night feedings? :)
c. A lot of websites have photolistings of children available. These are not all of the children available as many get placed right away. You need to contact your state agency and learn the process before being able to discuss adopting a child. By the time you're ready, a perfectly suited child might be just waiting! Go to AdoptUsKids.org for more information and to find state photolistings. It also never hurts to talk to your state agency to get information on workshops and seminars for interested families which should be no cost and will help answer some questions!
d. Most states have a list of requirements and pre-adoption classes you might have to take.
C) International adoptions: You thought that the US had options? International adoption has even more.
a. Not all countries allow for international adoption
b. Every country has its own rules
c. There are Hague vs. Non-Hague countries. Hague countries mean that you need to us an agency specifically registered to work within that other country. Non-Hague countries are such that independent adoptions are currently possible (but this will soon be ending!) and also work with different guidelines.
d. Some countries have less paperwork than others. Some cost more. Some have more babies. Some have longer waiting lists. Some countries have crazy governing bodies over these kids. Some countries don't give any help to orphans. Some countries have foster care. Some countries use orphanages.
Every country is different! I generally recommend using http://adoption.state.gov/ to learn more about each country. You might have your heart set on one country only to learn they do not allow adoptions. But maybe a neighboring country does!
Also, contact various agencies with countries you're interested in to learn about their programs.