Sometimes a couple that has been trying to conceive has to face the inevitable fact that they are unlikely to ever have children of their own. While this can be a heartbreaking thing to accept, there are still options available for the couple to raise a child. The most common of these is adoption.
While adoption is relatively rare in the US, it is still a widely accepted practice. Most adoptions are of children that are related to the adoptive parents. The majority of adoptions of unrelated children in the US are from infertile couples.
You can adopt a baby, a child, a teenager, or siblings. You can adopt a child domestically or internationally. Anyone can adopt a child, but there are many laws governing adoption in different states and countries. For example, anyone adopting a child from Korea cannot weigh 30% more than the recommended weight for their height.
Adoption can cost thousands of dollars; expenses may include agency fees, legal fees, medical and living expenses, and counseling for the birth mother. There is a lot of paperwork involved and it can be a long, frustrating process.
The Child Welfare Information Gateway lists the following steps that must be followed in order to adopt a child:
- Educate Yourself
o Learn about adoption, find out what’s involved, what you need to do, what is expected of you.
- Understand the law
o Learn the laws associated with adoption. You will have to comply with the laws of your own state, as well as any laws in the state or country of the child you are adopting.
- Explore your options
o Do you with to adopt a domestic child, or a child from another country? What agency will you use?
- Complete a home study
o Once you have chosen an agency, you must complete a “home study”. A social worker from the agency will help educate you, help you with preparations, and gather information about you and your household.
- Engage in the placement process
o You must now begin your search for a child. Your agency will connect with other agencies to try and find a match that works for both you and the child.
- File necessary legal documents
o All adoptions must be finalized in court. Typically the child must live with you for six months before the adoption can be finalized. During this time your agency will continue to work with you and assist you with any questions or problems you may have.
- Parent your child
o Adopting a child is a lifelong process. Parent your child, get to know them. Get any support that is needed for you or your child. Your agency will continue to work with you as needed.
Adoption can be a long, frustrating, and expensive process full of red tape and delays. It can also be a blessing to infertile couples who have tried everything else and have come up empty.
