The first thing you should do is research on adoption. The pros and cons, the different kinds, the time involved and what kind of research will be done on you. You can do this on a search engine, your local library or use you phone book to call some local adoption agencies to get information that they have.
Next, you should do some deep soul searching on why exactly you want to adopt. Are you ready? Are you wanting a child but unable to bear one of your own? Are you ready to make some life altering changes to your current lifestyle?
What type of adoption do you want to pursue? Now days you can even adopt an embryo. You need to decide whether you want an infant or an older child. An older child may fit more easily into your current lifestyle and requires less care, where an infant will never require more attention, some sleepless nights and you may have more expenses.
Adoption can be costly so you need to assess how much you can afford and investigate sources of funding for these fees. Federal and state adoption subsidies may be available for the ongoing care of children with special physical, mental, or emotional needs. There is an Adoption Tax Credit that will offset most of these costs.
Select an adoption agency to help you with the process. Adoption agencies are required to follow regulations and to adhere to licensing and procedural standards. There are other venues to adopt a child but you can find yourself bogged down with paperwork or even worse you could be conned by an unscrupulous lawyer or couple.
Complete an adoption application and attend an orientation session. This will help you along in the process and give you a general guide line as to what to expect.
Next you will begin the home study process and this can take anywhere from two months to a year. The steps in this are normally as follows: training interviews, home visits, health statements, income statements, background checks, autobiographical statements, and references from friends and family.
Now you will begin searching for your child. An adoption agency will have a process they follow but you are encouraged to learn how they will conduct their search. It is in your best interest to stay in close contact to keep the process moving along.
Once your perfect child has been found you need to update insurance policies, prepare your house, and inform the rest of your family. This eases the transition for you and your child. You will assume temporary legal custody during the monitoring period after you bring the child home and this normally lasts about six months.
Finally you will file a petition to adopt. After the judge signs the adoption order at a finalization hearing, usually six to twelve months after the child is placed in your home, you gain permanent legal custody of your child.
Now all this sounds like it will take forever and yes it does take quite a bit of time. The average time for this entire process is 18 months to two years. The benefit for all this patience is a child who you can call your own and needs you as much as you need them. The benefits of an adoption agency are that you know the process will be done correctly and that you will not be a victim of fraud.
Elizabeth Smith is a Marketing Associate for Tiger Team Solutions which is a company based out of Little Rock, Arkansas. She has been married for five years and has a four year old daughter. She and her husband have both considered adopting another child.
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