How long is the waiting list for an adoption of an older child?

knewellsc

If you're willing to parent a child a little older, there is NO wait (after your home study)! Check out your local Dept of Social Services or www.adoptuskids.org. We're doing the same thing.

Possum

That's akin to asking "How long is a piece of string?"

Are you in the USA?
Get in contact with your local government department that handles foster care - and they can advise you of the steps to take - and the possible length of time each step will take.
You'll have to fill in forms, have checks done and be deemed suitable for adoption.

annathespian

In the US older children are readily available and most agencies will try to expidite the process for you- It all depends on how long it takes you to complete your home study etc etc.

cassie

nmot very long especially if you have your home study compleate you could getone (depending on how your agency is)with in 6 months

inmate23

How long can you wait. You want a child in the easy to place age group. If I was you I would look at the over 7 age group or the teenagers. Because you want a child in the easy to place I would go to a small adoption agency, a family group home or a child with a disability.

Kim_T

Just so you know 3-4 years old is not truly considered an older child. Older usually refers to a child in elementary school. You are looking for a pre-schooler.

To answer your question, it depends on where you live, if you are open to special needs and how close you are to becoming a foster/adoptive parent. I have a friend who has been waiting for a healthy African American child younger than her current daughter (5). She does not want to disrupt the birth order but wants a child old enough to play with her current daughter. She had a 4 year old boy who was foster only. Reunification was expected. He was a great fit with their family but she knew when she accepted placement of him that it was not going to be permanant. She also had a 2 year old girl. Two year old children still do parallel play rather than interactive play so that was not a good match for them. They needed another 4 year old who would interact when playing with the current daughter. My friend has been waiting almost two years and has only had those two placements.

Bottom line is it could happen fast or it could take some time. The first time I was offered two children for fostering it was a sibling pair one 6 year old and one 7 year old. A few other families in my foster parenting classes waited months for their first placement as they were looking for infants. The broader your request, the greater the possibilities of being matched sooner.

Kim B

Try www.adoption.com This website has all the info you will need plus pics of waiting children.

I have been looking at this website for so long and just cry because I live in Australia and we don't have an adoption agreement with America. If we did I'd be over there like a shot .

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