Information to help you make best decisions for your family.

Getting Started
General information to help begin the adoption process.

What to Expect in the Adoption Process
Basic information about the different types of domestic and intercountry adoptions to help prospective adoptive parents choose the type of adoption that is best for their family. Includes adoption costs, length of time to adopt, State- and country-specific requirements, and more.

Funding and Financial Assistance
Resources to help defray adoption costs for all types of adoptions and make adoption a more affordable option, including grants, loans, employer benefits, adoption tax credits, and adoption subsidies.

Legal Considerations for Prospective Adoptive Parents
Publications and resources that cover pertinent legal issues including consent to adoption and State regulation of adoption expenses.

Types of Adoption
Information and resources regarding different types of adoption: Intercountry Adoption and Domestic Adoption, which includes independent adoption, adoption from foster care, kinship/relative adoption, and Native American adoption. Also includes legal information on who may adopt and who may be adopted in each State.

Types of Adoptive Families
Resources on the unique challenges of specific types of adoptive families: Married, Single, Military, Kin/Relative, Gay/Lesbian, and Transracial.

Issues Common to Adopted Children
Common issues faced by adopted children, including those who are members of a sibling group, those adopted as older children, and those who are members of minority groups.

Understanding Potential Challenges
Resources to guide adoptive parents in helping children face challenges specific to events in their history, such as child abuse and neglect, multiple placements, prenatal substance abuse, or developmental and physical disabilities.