3 Things You Need to Know Before Adopting a Child

Adoption is a rewarding yet life-altering decision – a commitment that extends far beyond paperwork and legal procedures. But while the prospect of offering a child a loving home is heartwarming, the process is fraught with complexities that every aspiring parent should be well-versed in.

While this article is anything but comprehensive, here are some of the top things you should know and be aware of as you start this process.

• There Are Many Different Types of Adoption

People often throw around the term “adoption” and assume that it means one thing. However, the more you dive into the topic, the more you’ll realize that there are several different types of adoption (each with its own set of nuances, challenges, and benefits). Here are a few different categories for those who are just getting familiar with adoption processes:

• Domestic adoption. Domestic adoption involves adopting a child who is a citizen of the same country as the adoptive parents. This option is often chosen due to its potential for shorter wait times and fewer legal complexities. With that being said, domestic adoption laws vary by state, so you’ll have to research various state laws to figure out what the process looks like for you.
• International adoption. This is a big category with lots of different complexities based on the country. Much like each individual state has its own laws, so does every country. Certain countries are easier to adopt from than others. You’ll want to research this process and understand immigration requirements.
• Foster care adoption. Every state has its own foster care system. (And in many cases, they’re organized on the county level.) While some children inside the foster care system are simply waiting for reunification with their birth families, other children have been taken away as a result of abuse or neglect and are looking for adoptive families. 
• Private adoption. Private adoption is where you work with an adoption agency or attorney who helps you find parents who are giving their children up for adoption. Typically, a private adoption involves finding a pregnant mother and working directly with her through the agency. 

Now, there’s obviously some overlap between some of these. For example, a domestic adoption could also be a private adoption (or a foster care adoption). But, at the very least, these categories give you a framework to think about adoption and some of the different avenues you can pursue.

As adoption attorney Rowdy G. Williams notes, “Adoptions are complicated – and often depend heavily on the laws within the state you’re adopting. If you’re serious about going down this road, you’re going to want to hop off Google and start talking with an adoption attorney who understands the intricacies of adoption laws.”

• The Legal Jargon Can be Confusing

Speaking of complicated, there’s a lot of legal jargon thrown around in the adoption process. Getting familiar with some of these terms will prevent you from feeling like you’re on the outside looking in. Here are three specific terms to understand and embrace:

• Birth Parents: Birth parents are the biological parents of the child who are making the decision to place their child for adoption. Understanding their rights and role in the adoption process is crucial.
• Adoption Agency: Adoption agencies are organizations or entities that facilitate adoptions. They play a pivotal role in connecting birth parents with prospective adoptive parents and managing the legal paperwork.
• Home Study: A home study is a comprehensive assessment of the prospective adoptive family’s home, lifestyle, and background. It is conducted by a licensed social worker to ensure that the home is suitable for a child.
• Adoption is an Emotional Process for Everyone

We’re not going to sugarcoat it – adoption is an extremely emotional process for everyone involved. While easier said than done, make sure to approach adoption with realistic expectations. Understand that the process may not be smooth, and there can be delays, uncertainties, and unexpected hurdles along the way.

Patience is an absolute necessity when pursuing adoption. It can take months or even years (in some situations) to find the right fit. And once you do adopt a child, it can take equally as long to build those powerful attachments and bonds. Knowing this going in can help you set expectations.

Adding it All Up

Adoption is exciting, scary, stressful, rewarding, and everything in between. But if you’re willing to dive into these deep waters, there are new adventures waiting for you on the other side. Let this article serve as a basic primer. There’s plenty more that you’ll need to learn and embrace along the way, but this at least gives you a taste of what to expect. Good luck!