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You are here: Home > For Prospective and Adoptive Parents > For Prospective Parents > What to Expect in 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. The information on this page is arranged into the following categories: Understanding the Options, Domestic Adoption, Intercountry Adoption, Understanding the Legal Issues, Understanding the Impact of Adoption.
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10 Steps to Adoption (National Adoption Center)
The National Adoption Center walks prospective adoptive parents through the adoption process in 10 steps.
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Adoption General Information Packet 1: Getting Started
This collection of factsheets published by the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse provides an overview of the adoption process. The papers address the steps involved in agency and independent adoptions, the home study process, and legal aspects of adoptions.
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Adoption Options : A Fact Sheet for Families
This fact sheet provides basic information about adoption options. It focuses on the choices between domestic and intercountry adoption, domestic infant or foster care adoption, and licensed private agencies, independent adoption, or facilitated/unlicensed agencies. A description of how the placement process will vary for each type of adoption is provided, as is a list of resources.
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Adoption Options At-a-Glance : A Companion Guide for Families
This fact sheet, meant to accompany "Adoption Options: A Fact Sheet for Families," provides basic information about adoption options in a table format. It focuses on the choices between domestic and intercountry adoption, domestic infant or foster care adoption, and licensed private agencies, independent adoption, or facilitated/unlicensed agencies. A description of how the placement process will vary for each type of adoption is provided, including agency oversight, termination of parental rights, child characteristics, cost, and potential wait times.
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How to Assess the Reputation of Licensed, Private Adoption Agencies
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National Adoption Information Clearinghouse
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| Availability: |
View Publication
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| Year Published: |
2004 - 1 pages |
Because there are more than 1,700 licensed private agencies in the United States (with more than 700 listed as having intercountry adoption programs), it is difficult for the Clearinghouse to stay up-to-date on the operations of all agencies. Prospective adoptive parents should research the background of an agency before beginning the adoption process. The steps provided in this fact sheet will help prospective adoptive parents assess the reputation of licensed, private adoption agencies.
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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.
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Openness in Adoption: A Fact Sheet for Families
This factsheet describes the benefits of postadoption contact with birth parents and reviews considerations for determining the degree of openness that is most appropriate for the child. It suggests that adoptive parents consult Internet websites, books, counselors, and other parents when making decisions about open adoption. The factsheet includes a chart of the advantages and disadvantages of confidential adoptions, mediated adoptions, and open adoptions.
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North American Council on Adoptable Children: How to Adopt
An overview of the steps involved in adopting a child from the U.S. foster care system.
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A Child is Waiting: A Beginner's Guide to Adoption (PDF 1132 KB)
This National Adoption Center guide offers basic information and resources to prospective adoptive parents considering adopting a child from foster care.
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Answering the Call: Family Pocket Guide (PDF 1370 KB)
This AdoptUSKids booklet is for prospective foster and adoptive parents to track their progress from inquiry to placement.
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Foster Care and Adoption for Waiting Children
Written for prospective foster and adoptive parents, this factsheet explains why children are placed in foster and adoptive homes. Steps in the application process are described, as well as basic responsibilities and requirements for foster and adoptive families. Foster care reimbursement and adoption subsidies also are discussed.
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Foster Parent Adoption: What Parents Should Know
This fact sheet reviews issues that foster parents should consider when making the decision to adopt their foster child, such as the emotional impact of adoption on the child and the implications of increased parental responsibility. Emphasis is placed on assessing the readiness of the child and the family for permanency. A strengths and needs worksheet is included to help parents and social workers through the decision-making process.
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Out-of-State Authorized Voluntary Adoption Agencies
New York State Office of Children and Families list of out-of-state adoption agencies authorized to place an American child with a family residing in New York State.
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Department of State
Country-specific information for prospective adoptive parents preparing to travel outside the United States to adopt, including travel warnings.
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Hague Conference on Private International Law
Full text and an explanatory text on the Hague Convention of May 29, 1993, on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption.
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Intercountry Adoption
More and more Americans are creating families by adopting children from foreign countries. In 2000, U.S. families adopted 18,477 foreign-born children. Overall, China was the greatest source for intercountry adoptions, followed in descending order by Russia, South Korea, Guatemala, Romania, Vietnam, Ukraine, India, and Cambodia. This factsheet provides an overview of the process of adopting children from another country, from selecting an adoption agency to complying with immigration requirements. Child health risks, documents necessary for submission to the foreign court, cultural issues, placement procedures, and postplacement services are discussed. The factsheet also describes the forms required by the United States ...
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U.S. Adoption Agencies That Place Children From Abroad
From our National Adoption Directory, resource listings of licensed private adoption agencies that place children from various countries.
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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service Forms and Fees
This page on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website provides you with access to immigration forms.
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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services: How Do I Apply to Bring a Foreign Born Orphan to the United States?
Frequently asked questions about adoption on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website.
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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Inter-Country Adoption
Intercountry Adoption section of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website.
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U.S. State Department Adoption Information
International adoption information provided by the State Department.
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American Academy of Adoption Attorneys
National membership organization of attorneys with expertise in adoption, including a directory with referrals to adoption attorneys in all 50 States.
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Consent to Adoption
This briefing reviews State laws regarding consent to adoption. Statutes dealing with who must consent, consent of minors, when parental consent is not needed, when and how consent can be executed, and revocation of consent are identified for each State, the District of Columbia, and five territories. The print version of this resource is current through December 31, 2002.
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Cooperative Adoptions: Contact Between Adoptive and Birth Families After Finalization
This resource discusses guidelines for legislation allowing adoption with contact agreements, statutes permitting enforceable contracts, and other State laws. It then presents citations and text of State laws related to formalized open adoption agreements. The print version is current through September 2003.
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Court Jurisdiction and Venue for Adoption Petitions
Adoption is a legal process for making a child a permanent member of a family other than the child's birth family. This legal process falls under the jurisdiction of a court of law in the State where the adoption occurs. This resource, current through March 1, 2004, explains jurisdiction and venue. Examples of jurisdiction are also provided.
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Family Medical Leave Act Information
Information from the U.S. Department of Labor.
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Parties to an Adoption
This briefing reviews State laws regarding parties to an adoption. General information dealing with who may adopt, who may be adopted, and who may place a child for adoption is identified. Gay and lesbian adoption is addressed briefly. The print version of this resource is current through March 2004.
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Presumed (Putative) Fathers
This briefing reviews State laws regarding putative father registries. Statutes dealing with registry/paternity requirements to receive notice of termination of parental rights or adoption proceedings, information contained in aregistry/claim, revocation of information, and access to information are identified for each State, the District of Columbia, and five territories. The print version of this resource is current through December 31, 2002.
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State Regulation of Adoption Expenses
This briefing reviews State laws regarding the regulation of adoption expenses. Regulations for birth parent expenses, payments for arranging adoptions, payments for relinquishing a child, fees charged by a department or adoption agency, and accounting of expenses required by the court are identified for each State, the District of Columbia, and five territories. The print version of this resource is current through December 31, 2002. 1 table.
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Summary of Laws Regarding International Adoptions Finalized Abroad: 50 States and 5 U.S. Territories
This resource provides information regarding intercountry adoption law in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and 5 territories. Twenty-six States and one territory grant recognition to foreign adoption decrees. In 17 States, re-adoption is allowed by statute. Eighteen States, the District of Columbia, and 4 U.S. territories do not address intercountry adoption in their statutes. 1 table.
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Use of Advertising and Facilitators in Adoptive Placements
All States permit the placement of children for adoption by agencies, either publicly sponsored agencies, such as a department of the State government, or private child- placing agencies that have been licensed by the State. These placements are known as agency adoptions. Many people choose to adopt without the involvement of an agency; these placements are known as private placements or independent adoptions. The challenge for prospective adoptive parents in a private placement is locating a child who is appropriate for their family or finding birth parents willing to place their child for adoption. Some parents choose to advertise their ...
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Finding the Missing Pieces: Helping Adopted Children Cope With Grief and Loss
This Adoption Learning Partners online course is designed to help adoptive families understand the feelings that children have about adoption and learn how to help their child express and deal with their feelings.
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Impact of Adoption on Birth Parents: A Factsheet for Families
This factsheet discusses some of the emotional issues that parents face after making the decision to place an infant for adoption, in surrendering the child, and in handling the feelings that often persist afterwards. In addition, it addresses some of the emotional issues of parents whose children are permanently removed from them and whose parental rights are terminated. This factsheet may be a helpful resource for birth parents, as well as family members, friends, and others who want to support birth parents. It may also provide some insight to adopted persons and adoptive parents who want to understand the struggles ...
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Issues Adopted Individuals May Face
Information on issues that may impact adopted individuals at different times throughout their lives.
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Lifelong Issues in Adoption
Discusses how adoption is a lifelong, intergenerational process that unites the triad of birth families, adoptees, and adoptive families.
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The Value of Adoptive Parent Groups
This fact sheet explains the benefits of adoptive parent support groups to adoptive and prospective family members, children, social workers, and the legislative process. Typical activities also are identified, including social functions, educational programs, and support. The briefing lists resources for locating adoptive parent groups.
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A Service of the Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families,
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
For more information, contact:
National Adoption Information Clearinghouse
330 C Street, SW
Washington, DC 20447
Phone: (703) 352-3488 or (888) 251-0075
Fax: (703) 385-3206
E-mail: naic@caliber.com
Updated on October 12, 2004 by webmaster_naic@caliber.com.
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