Adoption Options
Deciding to adopt a child can be exciting and scary all at the same time. There are so many ways to adopt sometimes it can be confusing unless you know the different types of adoption that may be available to you.
Agency Adoptions
Agency adoptions are very common and involve adopting either through the foster care system, the child welfare agencies, or social services. Agency adoptions can also be handled through private licensed adoption agencies and is allowed in almost every state and in many foreign countries. Adopting through an agency can give you the greatest monitoring and oversight because agencies have to be licensed and obey the laws and procedural standards dictated to them by Federal and state laws and licensing bureaus.
Independent Adoptions
In an independent adoption the birth parents and the prospective adoptive parents have to find each other. This can be achieved using attorneys or another third party as defined by the laws in your state, using an adoption facilitator, which is only allowed in some states and in certain foreign countries, or doing the work yourself. Independent adoptions can be a little risky unless you use an attorney who is a member of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. This is a professional group and their members must obey a strict standard of ethics. Using an adoption facilitator gives you the least amount of supervision, and while most of them are very ethical, there are few or no oversight methods in place to insure you that the adoption is being conducted according to the laws.
International Adoption
International adoption involves adopting a child from outside the United States. The procedure for an international adoption can be quite long and drawn out. You will be required to reveal almost every aspect of your life including your family, financial situation, health, etc.
- Many countries also require you to stay for an extended period of time in order to allow you to bond with the child. This bonding process is normally supervised and evaluated by the adoption agency in the country you’re dealing with.
Relative Adoption
In a relative adoption a child is adopted by a member of the family such as grandparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, etc. The laws regarding relative adoption can differ greatly from state to state so it’s important to hire a qualified adoption attorney to handle the details. While more informal than some other types of adoption there are still a number of things to take into consideration. As with any adoption both parents have to terminate any and all rights they have regarding the child. In addition, adopting a child from a relative could change the family dynamics in regards to that relative and their family.
Identified Adoption
An identified adoption can also be known as an open adoption. This is an adoption in which the adoptive parents do a search to find a birthmother who is considering giving up her child for adoption. This does not mean all the information is shared, and in some cases these types of adoptions are handled through an agency. Identified adoption takes a lot of work on the part of the prospective adoptive parents, but in many cases the waiting time is shorter and it is less expensive.
Conclusion
No matter which way you choose to adopt, you should always work with a licensed agency or attorney to insure all state, Federal, and, if applicable, international laws are being adhered to. You should also take into consideration the costs of adoption, the health of the child, your age, and marital status. Sometimes one type of adoption may not be right for you, but don’t give up. You can find a way to adopt a child.