Deciding Where To Start The Adoption Process
If you have decided you would like to adopt a child, there are most likely several questions you have about the process. Once thing people are unsure about is where to begin. When you want to adopt, you will need to contact an agency or hire a lawyer to get the process started. Selecting the right path to find a child to adopt is one of the most important decisions to make. Here is a summary of the different types of adoption methods to help you decide which is right for your specific situation.
Independent Adoption
Independent adoptions happen when you are the one who finds parents who wish to give their child up for adoption. This is usually done when a relative gives up their child to another member of the family. It can also be done if you find someone who advertises the adoption online or through parenting magazines or newspapers. If you set up an independent adoption, having a lawyer is necessary to handle any problems that may arise during the process. The lawyer will draw up the paperwork, legalizing the adoption.
Private Licensed Adoption Agency
If you opt for a licensed adoption agency, they will find adoptions for you to be considered by the birth parents. Licensed adoption agencies have many resources to match prospective parents to adoptive children. The adoption agency sets up meetings with the parents of the child to being adopted, allowing you to be interviewed to see if you would be their choice.
A licensed adoption agency gives you additional resources such as advertising your desire to adopt to parents who wish to put their child up for adoption. They will also set up meetings with other parents who have adopted, allowing you to ask questions and make friends in the process.
Public Adoption Agency
A public adoption agency is usually cheaper than other methods. However, this type of adoption process is done to find homes for hard-to-place children, such as those with disabilities or older children in foster care. The process is the same as with a private agency, but it is handled by the state social service agency. Public adoption agencies set up counseling and help lead you to resources to help with medical bills if you adopt a child with health problems.
International Adoption
If you opt for an international adoption agency, you will be put on a list to adopt a child from another country. You will most likely need to be able to travel a few times to the country where the adoptive child lives. International adoption agencies prefer adoptive parents who will teach the child about their heritage. Many people pick international adoption because they do not need to wait to be chosen by a birth mother when adopting.
For more information on the adoption process that is right for you, visit this site.