| Anyone thinking of adopting for the first time will | | | | and regulations which need to be adhered to, and |
| have many questions and concerns. Adopting is not a | | | | some areas are very strict compared to others. |
| simple process and much consideration and | | | | 6. Can one adopt a child from abroad? It is possible |
| deliberation is necessary. It is a very serious matter | | | | to adopt a child from another country. In North |
| and not to be taken lightly. There is much more to | | | | America, many Americans choose to adopt a foreign |
| adopting a child - it is not like shopping for a car; a | | | | child from countries like china, Colombia, Ethiopia, |
| child is a precious gift. The following is a list of | | | | Russia, Vietnam and many others. The adoption |
| common questions that those wishing to adopt for | | | | criteria for the country where the child is being |
| the first time might ask:- | | | | adopted must be met before the parents can adopt. |
| 1. In North America, who is able to adopt? Potential | | | | 7. What are sources are available for first time |
| adoptive parents should meet the criteria set by an | | | | adoption? Detailed information can be found from |
| adoption agency or a non-profit making adoption | | | | many individuals, groups and organisations who have |
| organisation. Then they can adopt. | | | | the resources. People usually like to ask a friend or |
| 2. How long is the process for adopting a child? This | | | | someone they know who has already adopted, |
| can vary and usually depends on the type of | | | | before making their first appointment to see a Social |
| adoption that is chosen, and the period can be | | | | Worker or someone else locally who deals with child |
| anything up to a year or even many years in some | | | | welfare. There are also adoptive parent's support |
| cases. This also depends on the child's needs and also | | | | groups which people can attend to help in the |
| what the adopting parents are looking for in a child. If | | | | decision making. The Internet provides lots of useful |
| they are willing to spend more time and money in the | | | | information regarding adoption, including names of |
| search for their ideal, then this can be a deciding | | | | adoption associations and contact details of who |
| factor on how long an adoption takes. | | | | they can approach. |
| 3. What is the cost of adopting a child? This all | | | | 8. One a person has collated enough information |
| depends on what the adopting parents are looking | | | | regarding first-time adoption where does one begin? |
| for in a child, and the criteria they have set for | | | | Once individuals have decided on what is the best |
| themselves. A public adoption usually doesn't involve | | | | type of adoption for them, an adoption plan needs to |
| any cost. When adopting through s private agency or | | | | be drawn up. This is so the adopting parents know |
| a foreign adoption, the costs can vary and can go up | | | | what goals to aim for, and also it serves as a backup |
| to about $35,000. | | | | plan if things don't quite work out the first time. |
| 4. How does the adoption process operate? Every | | | | Those proceeding with a first-time adoption will have |
| adoption is individual so the time it takes can vary. It | | | | many questions that need answering and they will |
| may also depends on which province or state is | | | | find some of those answers here. The relevant |
| involved in the adoption, as they each come under | | | | people must be contacted so that if they have any |
| their own government jurisdiction; they each keep | | | | more questions that haven't be answered, or they |
| their own rules and regulations for adoption. | | | | have more at a later date, they can find out all they |
| 5. Is one able to adopt from another province or | | | | need for the all important decision. |
| state? Every province or state has their own laws | | | | |