what all is involved in the adoption process when adopting kids?

Question

we are thinking about adoption, but don't know much about the process, whats involved, the costs, etc. can you help?

Answer 1

There is a lot of red tape involved. It is a very long process. It can take a year or more. In one case we were told it could take three years. That was when we were looking into adopting from here in Japan. I doubt if you are adopting within the states that it would take that long. But I'd figure at least a year. There is an indepth look into you and your spouse as people. They'll want to know all about your life experiences. Your age and how long you've been married will come into consideration. As for cost, you are looking at thousands of dollars. We were told that if we were to adopt from China we were looking at a minimum of $20,000. Most likely it would have been more. The word is that domestic adoptions are more expensive. But there are grants you can apply for to help off set that cost.

It is a long, drawn out, confusing, frustrating process. We never completed it. We just couldn't see shelling out more than $20,000 just to get the child. What would we have left with which to care for the child? I know one lady who adopted from Guatamala (I think) and they took out two loans just to adopt. Now they find out the baby has all kinds of medical issues and they are in deep, deep debt trying to take care of him.

The first thing you need to do, if you are serious, is contact an agency. Make sure they are reputable and look closely at their fees. Many times the high cost is simply because of agency fees.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Decide first if you want to adopt domestically within the U.S. or internatioally. Contact an agency and find out their requirements. You will need a homestudy, parenting classes, medicals, letters of recommendation, police checks, and marriage license, birth certificates, letter stating your reason for wanting to adopt. Ask your agency about adoption grants, and loans that are available to you. Join an adoption group, where you can get support from people who are going through the same thing you are going through. Adoption is a loooong, tedious, agrivating process, so DON'T get discouraged. When your child tells you that they love you you won't even remember the whole agrivating process.

Most everyone I know started out trying to adopt domestically but ended up in the end going to another country to get their child.

I Wish you all the luck in the world. Blessings.

Answer 3

The process is complicated. There's lots of decisions to be made before you really even start.

First, domestic or international? There's advantages and disadvantages to both.

Second, baby, toddler, or older child?

Third, same race, similar race, or different race?

Once you can answer those three questions, then you can really research into the particular process.

I chose international adoption of a toddler from China. My wife and I got jerked around by one agency (said we could never adopt from China, India, or Russia). We then discovered an agency only doing Chinese adoptions. We doublechecked the information from the first agency. They were wrong. So wrong that we now have a beautiful daughter who was born in China. We're going back for a sister. Rumor has it, after that we'll be looking for a brother.

Answer those three questions and then ask for more help.

There's tax laws/breaks on adoption but it matters about those answers.

Answer 4

First you need to decide whether you want to go domestic or international. Open or closed adoption. Would you consider a child of any racial background? The more options you are open to, the faster the process can work for you.

You should find an adoption support group in your area and go. The best resource will be parents who have built their family through adoption.

Email me if you want more info on support groups or if you would like more info on adoption from someone who has worked in the field.

Answer 5

EVERY CITY AND STATE IS DIFFERENT SO LOOK UP ADOPTION AND YOUR STATE TO FIND OUT MORE DIRECT QUESTIONS TO YOUR ANSWERS

Answer 6

pen and paper and a bunch of money