Understanding the Steps to Adoption a Child

Embarking on the journey to adopt a child involves numerous stages, challenges, and considerations. Statistically, about 135,000 children out of roughly 428,000 in foster care are adopted annually in our nation, with approximately 0.5% being infants. The adoption process is often lengthy and complex, requiring careful planning. This guide outlines the essential steps to adopt a child domestically, helping hopeful parents navigate the system effectively.

Deciding on Child Adoption
Choosing to adopt a child is a personal decision, often driven by infertility challenges. While fertility treatments have success rates around 30-35%, some families find adoption a more viable and fulfilling option. Consulting with an adoption counselor can provide clarity on the process and help you determine if this path aligns with your family goals.

Selecting the Adoption Type
Once you've decided to adopt, the next step is choosing the type of adoption that suits your preferences. Factors include whether the adoption is private or through foster care, the desired level of contact with birth parents, and cultural considerations. The main categories are:

• Open Adoption
  In open adoptions, adoptive and birth parents share contact information during pregnancy and after birth, enabling ongoing communication via calls, visits, or sharing photos.
• Semi-Open Adoption
  This involves limited contact, usually mediated through an agency or professional counselor, maintaining some level of communication but not direct contact.
• Closed Adoption
  Here, there is no contact or information exchange between birth and adoptive families. Although most adoptions in our country were traditionally closed, recent trends favor transparency and openness.

Choosing an Adoption Agency or Professional
Not all agencies offer identical services. When selecting an adoption professional, consider factors like fees, wait times, reputation, transparency, and support services. Review their websites and visit centers to understand their adoption processes and the types of adoption they facilitate.

Preparing to Become an Adoptive Family
After selecting an agency, prospective parents undergo several preliminary steps:

• Home Study
  An in-depth review conducted by an approved agency includes background checks, financial stability assessments, medical evaluations, and interviews to ensure readiness for parenting.
• Adoption Planning Questionnaire (APQ)
  This confidential questionnaire helps match adoptive families with suitable birth mothers, considering cultural preferences, contact willingness, and medical conditions.
• Creating an Adoption Profile
  Your profile includes photos and written descriptions showcasing your family’s story, helping birth parents connect. Some centers also require video profiles to better illustrate your family life and values.

Searching for Adoption Opportunities
Once approved, families wait patiently for suitable matches. It’s essential to take time to ensure mutual comfort and readiness before proceeding with any placement.

Contact with Birth Parents Before Adoption Finalization
When a match is found, families communicate with birth parents via calls, emails, or meetings to foster a trusting relationship before finalizing the adoption.

Completing the Adoption Process
The final legal steps include:

• ICPC Clearance
  For interstate adoptions, the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children (ICPC) process ensures legal compliance across state lines, typically taking 7-10 business days.
• Post-Placement Visits
  Home study providers conduct visits to confirm the child's adjustment and the family's bonding before court approval.
• Adoption Finalization Hearing
  A court reviews all documentation and terminates birth parents’ rights, issuing a legal decree that awards custody to the adoptive family.