Adoption- if you adopted a child, what did you have to go through?

Answer 1

Adoption is a journey worth every step! :)

Our adoption was a bit unique in that it was handled differently than most. Our son was in kinship care with his biological grandparents. We actually adopted our son from them. However, we utilized an adoption agency for the process to insure it was legal and accepted by the state.

With using the agency, we met with the social worker and answered lots of questions; we also had to write a "profile" (basically answering essay questions). We had criminal checks, background checks, state and federal finger prints, etc. The agency also performed a "home study".

If you live in a different state from where your child was born, you will need to wait to bring the child home until the Interstate Compact has been approved (more paperwork). Once the child arrives to your home, the agency will schedule several home visits just to make sure the child is safe.

You will eventually receive a court date to appear before a judge to receive your Adoption Finalization. You will be issued a new birth certificate with your names listed as the parents.

It sounds like a lot of work, but it is worth everything when your child looks at you for the first time.

Good luck to you.

Answer 2

I guess I'll give you a little different view since you didn't say what kind of adoption you were thinking about.

My husband and I internationally adopted from Guatemala. That is where we fell in love with a little 3 year old boy named Wilson. The entire process took about 10 months from the time we first laid eyes on him until we actually brought him home.

The beginning of the process is very similar to domestic adoptions. The social worker comes and does a home study. You have to have background checks, fingerprints, ect. Where internationally adoption varies is when the process is taken over by the other country. Then you have to "play by their rules" so to speak. And each country has different rules. Guatemala requires DNA to be done on the child and the biological mother, the mother has to actually sign the rights away to the child 3 separate times giving her 3 different times to change her mind. The paper work is MIND BOGGLING, but once it is complete and you hold this child in your arms it is amazing. It seems like Wilson has been here since day 1.

Good luck.