Can Someone Explain The Adoption Process?

Jennifer L

It depends on the type of adoption and the specific requirements of the state/agency/country.

We adopted from Liberia. Following the adoption, we had three post-placement visits with a social worker. We are also required to send yearly updates with pictures, which are sent from our agency to the Liberian government.

The adoption process (pre-placement) is pretty lengthy and involved. Every type of adoption requires a homestudy and a thorough investigation. You'll need to prove that you have a safe home enviornment, are committed to parenting and understand the unique needs of parenting an adopted child, that you have no criminal record, reasonably healthy and your finances are in order. You don't have to be wealthy, just stable.

Depending on which kind of adoption is done, there is additional education/training/steps required.

Mom to Foster Children

We are adopting from Foster Care...

We took Foster Care Classes
Did a Background Check
Had a home study done...etc.

We have continuing education classes that have to be completed every two years if we continue to foster children. We have one child now who is still technically a foster child, but we are trying to adopt him.

So, it is basically differences in which way / route you adopt from.

emmajay83

The adoption process is very thorough. This site will give you a lot of great information about adoption.

BraxOwl

The process varies depending on what type of adoption you do. The options include a private/domestic adoption, an adoption from the Department of Social Services, and an international adoption (and there are other options, such as familiy adoption, etc.).

The first step for every adoption is a home study. They make sure that you have a home that can accomodate a child and provide for all of their needs, that you are in general good physical health, that you have the means (fnances) to support a child, and they will do a background check. There is a LOT of paperwork involved in it, especially in an international adoption (where in addition to the requirements imposed by the US, you have to meet requirements of the other country as well, AND immigration requirements).

I know that in adoptions made through the Department of Social Services and in international adoptions, there are post placement visits. How long these occur depend-sometimes there are one or two and sometimes they last until the child is three (or older). I am not sure about private adoptions, but I would assume there would be atleast one.

I hope this helps to answer some of your questions.

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