Exploring Your Options and Different Types of Adoption

Exploring Your Options and Different Types of Adoption Adopting a child means more than simply filling out an application. If you and your significant other have contemplated adoption, it’s important to know all your options.

When looking into adopting a child, you have the choice between adopting through an agency, independently, domestically and/or internationally.

So what’s the difference between these types of adoption?

Adopting Independently Sometimes, adoptions can be arranged without the help of an agency. For example, couples looking to adopt may consider directly contacting an expecting mother. This is known as an independent adoption. The best way to start an independent adoption is to find a birth mother. Once both parties have agreed on the arrangement, you may have to discuss the expenses. The expenses that precede an adoption may vary for every couple and their circumstances. An independent adoption is legal in a majority of states in the US. However, you should still be aware of all the adoption laws in your respective state because they may differ from other states.

If you’re considering adopting independently, you should certainly get into contact with an experienced lawyer who has had experience with adoption cases before. A knowledgeable lawyer will know the adoption laws in your state and answer questions you or your partner may have. You can also use other adoptive parents as a resource.

You will also need to look into Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC). Interstate adoptions require adoptive parents to abide by and comply with the laws of both states.

The last thing you want to do is lose the opportunity to be a parent because of a misunderstanding.

Some states require adoptive parents to be at least 21 years old. In other states such as Georgia, adoptive parents must be at least 25. To find out more about your states laws concerning adoption, take a look at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services State Statutes publications.

Child Adoption with an Agency When adopting through an adoption agency, you have the option to adopt through the local public agency or through a licensed private agency.

Private Adoption Agency Many private agencies help families interested in domestic and international adoptions, including infant adoption, older child adoption and often embryo adoption. These agencies tend to offer more support services to adoptive families, or families considering adoption. They often host information seminars and events to answer your questions and help you determine if adoption is the right choice for you.

The fees these agencies charge can range from $5,000 to $35,000. These fees often cover prenatal services for the birth mother, such as counseling and sometimes medical care, the child’s birth expenses, supportive services to the adoptive family, and a portion helps to cover the nonprofit’s operating costs. Nonprofits do their best to minimize these fees in order to place more babies with more families.

If you choose to work with a private agency, be sure to ask about payment schedules and options. More often than not, private agencies will allow you to pay off the fees in installments along the adoption process. Being open and communicative with your agency will less likely lead to misunderstandings.

Public Adoption Agency Public agencies are known for accepting applications from adoptive parents interested in adopting an older child, children with special needs and sibling groups. In many cases adoption services that public agencies provide are cost free, or very low cost on the respective agency. These agencies are considered public because these adoption agencies are funded through state and federal taxes.

It’s imperative to be well informed about the children in custody of public adoption agencies. Many kids fostered at these agencies may have had rough experiences growing up. Several of the children these agencies foster may have been victims of physical or verbal abuse. In other cases, they may have been abandoned at birth or neglected growing up. Whatever the case, you should certainly make the effort to discuss a child’s history with your agency. An agency and social workers are available to

help guide and council adoptive parents of children who faced adversity growing up.

With helpful resources, the transition for adoptive parents and their children is made a lot easier.

Domestic Adoption

So you’ve heard us talk a lot about a domestic adoption. If you aren’t entirely familiar with this kind of adoption, it refers to infants born in the United States who have been placed for adoption by their birth parents. Often times the adoptive parents will choose an open adoption when adopting domestically. This means that the child may have contact with his or her birth parents after the adoption is complete.

International Adoption When a couple decides on adopting internationally, they are choosing to become the legal parents of a child from a different country. There are several legal adoption requirements that prospective parents must meet both in their residential country and the child’s country. In these cases, because of distance, expense and language barriers, open adoptions are generally not feasible.

You may not important to always more adoption and

be sure what type of adoption to consider yet. That’s why it’s incredibly make the best of the resources available for you. Adoption centers are than happy to answer questions or uncertainties you may have about the adoption process.

Adopting a child is an important decision that requires careful consideration. Are you contemplating adoption, or are you already planning to adopt a child? Do you have any idea about how or where to start? Action Adoption at Providence Place of San Antonio, Texas will guide you through the adoption process while making sure all your questions are answered. Contact them today to learn more about adoption and ways to get involved with our organization.