| When you are looking to adopt you should | | | | 9. Do you have any special circumstances? |
| research different adoption agencies very | | | | (single-parent, gay couple, older couple, |
| carefully. There are many things to consider | | | | etc.) |
| in order to help you narrow down to a list of | | | | |
| specific adoption agencies. Here are some | | | | 10. Do you know anyone who has adopted |
| questions to ask yourself before you being | | | | before? |
| any research: | | | | |
| | | | Once you ask yourself these questions you can |
| 1. Do you want a domestic adoption (within | | | | develop a list of adoption agencies that you |
| the United States) or an international | | | | can request information from. Most adoption |
| adoption? | | | | agencies will send you an information packet |
| | | | free of charge about their adoption services. |
| 2. If you do want to adopt internationally | | | | Research on the internet and write down |
| which countries would you consider adopting | | | | agencies that you feel can meet your needs. |
| from? | | | | Once you have at least ten ask them to send |
| | | | you an information packet. Review the packets |
| 3. Do you want to adopt an infant or older | | | | and throw away the ones that you do not like. |
| child? | | | | With the remaining agencies call them and ask |
| | | | more questions about their services, how they |
| 4. Do you want to work with an adoption | | | | operate, and other common questions. |
| agency close to your home or anywhere within | | | | |
| the United States? | | | | Finally choose an adoption agency. Once you |
| | | | have chosen an agency double check with the |
| 5. How will you finance your adoption? | | | | state licensing department and ensure that |
| | | | they are in good standing. You may also want |
| 6. How soon do you want to adopt? | | | | to check with your local BBB to see if any |
| | | | complaints have been filed against them. |
| 7. Which races are you willing to adopt? | | | | Finally ask the agency for some references of |
| (Caucasian, Asian, African American, etc.) | | | | previous adoptive parents that you can talk |
| | | | to personally. Once they have 'passed the |
| 8. Do you want a boy or girl? | | | | test' you can start filling out the paperwork |
| | | | to adopt a child. |