| Before a couple decides to adopt a child, they should | | | | of domestic adoption that somehow lead adopting |
| first determine whether the adoption is to be done | | | | families to adopt internationally. However, it depends |
| internationally or domestically. It is not possible to | | | | on the country involved because the criteria for |
| determine which form of adoption is better or which | | | | some international adoption can also be set very high |
| is faster because each has its own set of | | | | for foreign adoptive parents. |
| advantages and disadvantages. It also depends a lot | | | | Another important disadvantage of domestic |
| on what is more suitable for the adoptive families. | | | | adoption is the possibility that the biological mother |
| While some may prefer domestic adoption as it is | | | | may change her mind or refuse to give up her child |
| generally less costly, others may prefer to adopt | | | | for adoption at the last minute. This may cause the |
| internationally for other reasons. | | | | adoption process to delay or even be terminated if |
| It is important to note that domestic adoption is | | | | the biological mother changes her final decision. This |
| generally more affordable than international adoption | | | | happens more often during the final stage of the |
| because you cut down on travel cost and additional | | | | adoption process where the adopting family is |
| paperwork that need to be prepared. Sometimes, | | | | expecting a child but is disappointed when the |
| the adoptive parents are also required to 'donate' an | | | | adoption process is unable to pull through. |
| additional sum of money to the orphanage where the | | | | It is also possible that there are fewer children |
| child is from. As compared to international adoption, it | | | | available for domestic adoption especially if an |
| is less time and money spent on the adoption | | | | adopting family prefers to adopt a child from a |
| process if it is carried out domestically because it is | | | | minority group. This is one of the major advantages |
| usually the case studies officers and representatives | | | | of international adoption, where there are many |
| from the adoption agency who will be carrying them | | | | children of different races available. |
| out. | | | | There's another way to adopt domestically and that |
| One other advantage of adopting domestically is the | | | | is through closed or confidential adoption. No contact |
| higher chance of parents getting a newborn baby or | | | | is allowed between the adopting and the biological |
| a younger infant. Should the adoption be done | | | | families in this kind of adoption. This may be a more |
| internationally, it will usually take quite some time | | | | suitable choice especially for adoptive parents who |
| before the infant is united with his or her adopting | | | | do not wish for their adopted child to look up his or |
| family due to the paperwork that must be done and | | | | her biological parents. There is less likelihood of the |
| by that time, the child will already be a few months | | | | adopted child's identity being disclosed or even if it is |
| old. Some parents prefer to adopt infants, especially | | | | disclosed, the chances of locating the biological |
| very young ones, because it will be easier to bond | | | | families are slimmer. |
| with the child from young. An exception of a long | | | | Although there are many pros and cons of adoption |
| waiting time would be if the countries are very near | | | | whether it is done domestically or internationally, if |
| to each other. It is possible for parents to adopt | | | | adoptive parents have an open mind and heart they |
| newborn babies from a neighbouring country though. | | | | will be able to overcome any problem and will |
| Requirements for domestic adoption in some | | | | succeed in finding their child one day. When that |
| countries are quite strict and qualifications for | | | | happens, they will know that all the problems they |
| adopting families are also high. This is one of the cons | | | | have gone through are definitely worthwhile. |