| The process of adopting a child can be complicated | | | | approach. Agency Adoption- Your first decision will be |
| and a bit confusing, but with some thought and some | | | | to select an agency. Then, a social worker will |
| organization, you can definitely master it and it's | | | | determine your eligibility to adopt and your chances |
| completely worth every ounce of time you spend. | | | | to adopt the kind of child you desire. If you agree to |
| The processes you'll follow depend very much on the | | | | go forward, you will complete a home study and, in |
| kind of adoption you'll choose. If you decide to adopt | | | | that process, you'll create a package of information |
| a baby from the US, you can either work through | | | | about your family. Once the home study is complete |
| the foster care system, use a personal lawyer to | | | | and you are recommended for adoption, they will |
| create an independent adoption or work with a | | | | find a child that's ideal for you. Once you and the |
| licensed adoption agency. Foster Care System- A | | | | agency have agreed on a child, they'll assist you in |
| few individuals adopt by first becoming foster | | | | filing all of the required documents. This approach is |
| parents. This way they have the opportunity to | | | | good for people who want to have the security of |
| spend time with the child before deciding to adopt | | | | professional assistance. International Adoption- |
| and, in some cases, there might be a better chance | | | | International adoption begins with selection of an |
| of adopting a baby. The majority of states require | | | | agency that offers overseas programs. You will |
| that foster parents go through a training program. | | | | select a country that meets your needs and for |
| After you have a foster child to care for, his or her | | | | which you qualify, then undergo the home study |
| social worker will keep you apprised of his/her | | | | process. As soon as you you have done all this, the |
| availability for adoption and, if the child becomes | | | | host country will receive your information and a child |
| available and you want to adopt, the social worker | | | | will be assigned to you. After you accept the child, |
| will help you in filing documents and undergoing the | | | | you'll either go to the country to adopt the child or |
| court proceedings. Independent Adoption- If you | | | | pay an escort service to bring the child to the USA |
| choose to adopt independently, you'll need to contact | | | | where you'll complete the adoption proceeding. |
| an adoption attorney. You will work with the | | | | People who may not have a good chance of |
| attorney to find a potential adoption situation. This | | | | adopting in the US (older people, gay couples, single |
| may include placing ads in local newspapers or using | | | | people) and those who would rather avoid the |
| the internet. Your attorney will help you find | | | | complications of the American legal system |
| prospective mothers, discuss an arrangement for | | | | frequently decide to adopt internationally. The |
| adoption and payment and then represent you in a | | | | timeframe for adoption depends on the kind of |
| court proceeding to legalize the adoption. Those who | | | | adoption, your specific circumstances and the state |
| want to adopt a child at birth frequently use this | | | | of regulations and intercountry relationships. |