What is an Adoptive Family?

A single or married parent that submits to a  legal  process that creates a new, permanent  parent-child relationship where one didn’t exist before. This family gives this child all of the love, rights, and privileges of sons and daughters.

When considering adoption, one of the first things decisions you need to make is the type of adoption you feel led to pursue.  Here is a brief description on the three different types.

Domestic – this type of adoption usually means an infant adoption within the United States.  This type of adoption can have a bit of a waiting period and is usually accomplished by working with an agency who works directly with birthmothers.  Often, the birthmother will choose the adoptive family for the baby.  You as the adoptive family will also have input into the level of openness you feel comfortable with.  A completely open adoption means the birth family is involved in the child’s life.  Semi-open means they do have some access but it is more restricted (like just notes, emails, and pictures delivered through the agency, for example).  In a closed adoption, the child has no contact with the birth family.  This type of adoption is usually $10,000-$20,000.

International – This type of adoption involves adoption a child from another country.  Depending on the country, the wait can be anywhere between 8 months and 4 years.  This type of adoption is nearly always closed as many of the children overseas have been orphaned by death or abandonment.  This kind of adoption can range between $15,000 and $40,000 depending on the country and agency you work with. 

Foster to adopt – A foster to adopt situation is adopting a child from the US foster care system.  Currently the US has approximately 127,000 children and youth waiting for permanent adoptive families, and each state has many children waiting.  Their parental rights have been terminated, and the only “parent” they have is the state in which they live.  Often these children are a little older and/or are part of sibling groups. 

No matter which type of adoption you choose to pursue, you will need to work with an agency to complete paperwork, a background check, training, and a home study.  A licensed placement agency could also help answer your specific questions relative to your family and the type of adoption you feel called to.