Parenting & Family
Adopting a Child: Process and Preparation Guide
A practical guide to the child adoption process, from choosing an agency to finalizing the adoption in court. Covers home studies, background checks, matching, and post-placement requirements.
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Choosing an Adoption Path
Research the three main types: domestic infant, foster care, and international adoption
Domestic infant adoption costs $20,000-50,000 and takes 1-5 years. Foster care adoption costs $0-2,500 (often subsidized) and takes 6-18 months. International adoption costs $25,000-55,000 and takes 2-4 years.
Evaluate your preferences for child age, openness to birth family contact, and timeline
About 95% of modern domestic adoptions have some level of openness with birth families. Consider what level of contact you are comfortable with, from exchanging letters to in-person visits.
Attend at least 2 adoption information sessions or webinars from different agencies
Free info sessions let you compare agency philosophies, fees, and timelines without commitment. Take notes on average wait times, the number of placements they completed last year, and their support services.
Selecting an Agency or Attorney
Verify the agency is licensed in your state and accredited by the relevant body
For international adoption, the agency must be Hague-accredited if adopting from a Hague Convention country. Check your state's licensing database and the Council on Accreditation directory for verification.
Request a complete fee schedule in writing before signing any agreement
Reputable agencies provide itemized fees upfront. Expect application fees of $200-500, home study fees of $1,000-3,000, and placement fees that vary widely. Be cautious of agencies that cannot clearly explain their fee structure.
Ask for references from 3-5 families who adopted through this agency in the past 2 years
Recent references are more relevant than older ones since agency staff and practices change. Ask about communication quality, how problems were handled, and whether the agency met the timeline they originally quoted.
Review the agency's disruption and dissolution rates
A disruption means the adoption fails before finalization, and dissolution means it fails after. Rates above 10-15% for the adoption type should prompt further questions about the agency's matching and support practices.
Home Study Process
Complete the home study application and pay the fee ($1,000-3,000)
The home study is required for all adoption types and takes 3-6 months to complete. Some agencies include it in their overall fee, while others use independent home study providers. Start early since this is often the longest step.
Gather required documents: birth certificates, marriage license, tax returns, medical clearances
Most home studies require 3 years of tax returns, medical letters from your doctor, and proof of income. Request official copies of vital records at least 4-6 weeks in advance since processing times vary by state.
Prepare your home for the safety inspection
The social worker checks for working smoke detectors, a fire extinguisher, locked medicine and cleaning supply storage, and safe sleeping space for a child. Pool fences, gun safes, and window guards may be required depending on your state.
Complete individual and joint interviews with the assigned social worker
Expect 2-4 interviews lasting 1-2 hours each. The social worker asks about your upbringing, relationship, parenting philosophy, and motivation to adopt. Honesty matters more than perfect answers.
Provide 3-5 personal references (non-family members)
Choose references who know you well and can speak to your character, stability, and parenting potential. The social worker contacts them by phone or letter. Give your references a heads-up so they expect the call.
Background Checks and Training
Submit fingerprints for FBI and state criminal background checks
All adults in the household must be fingerprinted. Results take 2-8 weeks depending on your state. Certain offenses are automatic disqualifiers, while others are evaluated case by case.
Complete a child abuse and neglect registry check for every state you have lived in
You must request clearance from each state where you have resided as an adult. Some states process these in 1-2 weeks, while others take 8-12 weeks. Start requests for all states simultaneously.
Complete required pre-adoption training hours (varies by state and agency)
Most agencies require 10-30 hours of training covering attachment, trauma, cultural considerations, and parenting adopted children. Training may be in-person, online, or a combination. Foster care adoption requires additional training.
Matching and Placement
Create your family profile or adoption book for birth parent review
In domestic infant adoption, birth parents typically choose the adoptive family. Include genuine photos showing your daily life, a heartfelt letter, and information about your home and community. Most profiles are 15-20 pages.
Prepare financially for match-related travel and legal expenses
If matched with a birth family in another state, travel costs can add $2,000-5,000. Interstate adoptions require ICPC (Interstate Compact) approval, which means staying in the birth state for 1-3 weeks after placement.
Review and sign the placement agreement once matched
Have an adoption attorney review all documents before signing. The placement agreement outlines the terms, including any open adoption contact arrangements. Birth parent consent timing varies by state, from 12 hours to 30 days after birth.
Legal Finalization and Post-Placement
Complete required post-placement visits (typically 2-6 visits over 6-12 months)
A social worker visits your home to observe the child's adjustment and your family bonding. These visits are required before the court grants finalization. Keep notes on milestones and any concerns to discuss during visits.
File the adoption petition with your local court
Your attorney prepares and files the petition, which includes the home study, background checks, and post-placement reports. Filing fees range from $150-500 depending on the jurisdiction.
Attend the finalization hearing in court
This is usually a brief, celebratory hearing lasting 15-30 minutes. The judge reviews the case and issues the adoption decree. Many families bring cameras and extended family members. Some courts schedule group finalization events.
Obtain the new birth certificate and Social Security number for your child
After finalization, the court sends an order to the vital records office to issue a new birth certificate with your names as parents. This takes 4-12 weeks. Apply for the child's Social Security number if not already obtained.
Claim the federal adoption tax credit on your next tax return
The federal adoption tax credit covers up to $16,810 per child (2024 amount, adjusted annually for inflation). Keep receipts for all adoption-related expenses including agency fees, legal fees, travel, and court costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to adopt a child in the United States?
Costs vary dramatically by type. Foster care adoption is typically $0-$2,500 (most fees are waived or subsidized). Domestic private infant adoption through an agency costs $25,000-$50,000, covering home study, legal fees, birth mother expenses, and agency fees. International adoption ranges from $30,000-$60,000+ depending on the country. The federal adoption tax credit (up to $16,810 for 2024) can offset a significant portion of these costs.
How long does the adoption process take from start to finish?
Foster care adoption averages 1-2 years from initial training to finalization. Domestic private infant adoption typically takes 1-3 years, with the home study phase taking 3-6 months and the wait for a match ranging from a few months to 2+ years. International adoption takes 2-5 years depending on the country and program. The home study alone requires 3-6 months and includes background checks, home inspections, interviews, and reference letters.
What are the requirements to adopt a child?
Requirements vary by state and agency, but general minimums include: being at least 21 years old (some states require 25 for international), passing FBI and state criminal background checks, demonstrating financial stability (you do not need to be wealthy — just able to support a child), completing a home study with a licensed social worker, and providing 3-5 personal references. Single parents can adopt in all 50 states. Most agencies require 10-30 hours of pre-adoption training.
What is the difference between open and closed adoption?
In a closed adoption, identifying information about the birth parents is sealed, and there is no ongoing contact — this was the standard for decades but is now relatively rare. In an open adoption, birth parents and adoptive parents share identifying information and may have direct contact ranging from letters and photos (semi-open) to in-person visits (fully open). About 95% of domestic infant adoptions today have some level of openness. Research consistently shows that children in open adoptions report higher self-esteem and fewer identity struggles.
Can you adopt a child if you already have biological children?
Yes, and it is very common. About 40% of adoptive families also have biological children. Agencies assess how the existing family will adjust during the home study process. Key considerations include the age gap between children (many experts recommend at least 2 years), how you will help your biological children understand adoption, and ensuring each child gets individual attention. Some agencies require that the adopted child be younger than your youngest biological child, but this is not a universal rule.