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