A Quick Summary of How to Adopt a Child

Many couples (and singles) are now considering adoption as an alternative to birthing their own children. But where do they start and finish? And what are the costs involved in legitimately adopting a little one?

Information

The first step to any successful endeavor is gathering as much information as humanly possible. Research and join adoption groups (both physical and online), talk to other families who have adopted, and buy books and literature on the subject. The Internet is a resource that wasn't around 20 years ago, but now it's here, so use the heck out of it!

The Agency Search

The first logical step to adopting a child is choosing an agency to work with. Some agencies specialize in adoption of children from another country, others deal domestically, and some deal with both options. Take your time and choose wisely because you want the process to be as smooth as possible. You will most likely have to complete and satisfy what is called a "home study," a detailed report compiled by social workers about your family and home life. Its purpose is to give social workers a good idea of what your family situation is, and if your home is appropriate for a new child. They may also ask you to take parenting classes.

Matching

Once you have chosen an agency and gone through their application procedures, they will then work on find a child that matches your family and preferences. The wait time during the matching process will vary; the average wait time is usually six months to a year. The less preferences you have, the better chance you have for a faster match. For example, if you ask for a baby of a specific race with blue-green eyes, brown hair, and a mother with a high IQ, you may have a longer wait than normal. You should seriously think about going outside of your idea of "perfection" when it comes to what the child should be or look like; consider being open to a child that may not look exactly like you. There are many families that have provided happy homes to children of different races and backgrounds.

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