Adoption Options

Adoption Options

Previously I have discussed that if we were to do adoption, we would go down the domestic infant route.   After we had made this decision I started looking at our options as far as agencies, lawyers ect.  During my research I came across several ways a Domestic Infant Adoption can be performed.  Here they are:

1. You get an adoption lawyer and advertise independently.  This option is still done, but probably less so because it is the most risky financially.  Have you seen the movie Juno?  This is what they do in the movie.  So here is how it generally works (from what I understand)... You seek out an adoption lawyer, this person specializes in IN STATE adoptions and should know the system very well.  You should ask them how many adoptions they have completed and the length of time from hire to placement it took.  Also ask about all fees up front.  The next step is advertisement.  In Juno, they advertised in the Penny Saver.  The lawyer should have this down, they should know where to register your name and profile at to be open to adoption.  Also you would want to make your own profile website so that when a birthmother is found you can send her to your website.  This option is also good for those couples that are adopting from a family member or a friend of a friend.   The risky part is that your legal fees are upfront and for one adoption only.  So if the adoption falls through you are out that money.

2. Local agency:  I would say that this is the most popular route.  With this option you find an agency located within your county or state, that you can drive to.  These agencies specialize in "in state adoption".  Usually you would apply to the agency and wait to be accepted.  A lot of times they have a cap on how many parents they take a year, but I havent heard too many rejection stories.  You would then go through their process (most agencies are very similar)  and make an adoption profile.  This profile includes lots and lots of information about you, plus about what kind of baby and adoption you would like (see this post about different adoption sitiuations)  then you would wait to bee matched and wait for a baby.  These agencies would most likely do 30 or less adoptions a year, so their wait times very but you are looking about a year or so depending on your area, specifications and lots of other factors, but this is the general idea.

3. National agency:  This is becoming a more popular idea.  These agencies have a central location somewhere in the US.  Again, you apply to the agency You would then go through their process (most agencies are very similar)  and make an adoption profile.  This profile includes lots and lots of information about you, plus about what kind of baby and adoption you would like (see this post about different adoption situations)  then you would wait to bee matched and wait for a baby.  ..  the difference is that you can get a baby from any state.  Thus increasing your chances for a baby by a lot.. and decreasing your wait time.  These agencies do upwards of 300 adoptions a year. Wait times can be 2-18months but usually somewhere in 6 month range, again all depending on what type of adoption you are willing to take, the more open you are the shorter your wait time is. The drawback is that the headquarters are most likely not near you.   So most of contact with the adoption counselor is via phone or skype, but you will have a local social worker that does your homestudy and is very familiar with your state and your agency. Also if the child is outside the state when born, you must travel there and wait a week for interstate travel to be approved by courts.

We have chosen to go with option 3 national agency adoption because we are open to anywhere and like the idea of shorter wait times.