Domestic Infant
Adoption
Adopting a child can be one of the most rewarding and exciting experience of
your life. However, for adoption beginners, the adoption process can seem overwhelmingly
complicated, time consuming, and frustrating—especially if you are eager
to get started. In this article we will address the process of adopting an infant
through a private adoption agency.
The first step is to read and to educate yourself about adoption in general,
the types of infants available to adopt, and the various avenues to adoption.
There are many informational resources available – please see our resource
guide. Gather as much information as you can and contact
us for more information.
If you are a perspective parent seeking to adopt a healthy infant, with a background
similar to your own, it is important to note that a relatively small percentage
of healthy, Caucasian infants are placed for adoption. African-American, Hispanic,
and mixed-race infants are available both through public and private adoption
agencies. The adoption of Native American Indian children (of all ages) by non-Indians
is strictly limited by the Federal Indian Child Welfare Act (P.L. 95-608). Fees
and waiting times for infants vary tremendously, depending on the type of adoption
involved.
After you have gathered as much information about infant adoption that you
can, start shopping for an agency. The agency that you choose should be licensed
by the State
of Wisconsin. You want to be comfortable with the agency that you are working
with, so take your time and research each agency. Many private agencies have
different fees and requirements for their domestic infant adoption programs.
Often agencies will only consider couples married at least one to three years,
between the ages of 25 and 40, and with stable employment income. Some agencies
accept applicants who are older than 40. Some agencies require that the couple
have no other children and be unable to bear children. Some agencies require
that one parent not work outside of the home for at least six months after the
adoption. Agencies placing infants will discuss their specific eligibility regulations
and placement options with you.
Fees charged by private adoption agencies range from $10,000 to more than $25,000
for domestic infant adoptions. Please see our article on how to make adoption
an affordable option for ideas on how to finance your adoption. Make sure you
ask any agency you might work with what its fees are and what the schedule is
for paying them. You should also ask what services are and are not covered by
the fees. Most will allow you to pay fees in installments due at particular
points during the adoption process. If the fee policy is clear from the beginning,
any misunderstandings about payment will be less likely.
After you have chosen an agency to work with, you will have to go through the
home study process. An adoption study is the process used to inform and educate
you about adoption. This process also evaluates your family to make sure that
you are ready and prepared for adoption.
The Evaluation Process: The formal evaluation process of a
family is done on an individual basis. You will meet with the social worker
that has been assigned to get to know you. The evaluation process is a critical
element of the adoption study process. Although this part of the study process
is often uncomfortable for both social workers and families, it is a very necessary
step. Children need to be protected. Therefore, families must be evaluated as
to their appropriateness for adoption.
Once you home study is complete your family profile (which includes pictures
and a brief description of your family) will be placed in the hands of the agency.
Adoption a child always requires a waiting period. If you want to adopt a Caucasian
infant, be prepared to wait at least one year from the time the home study is
completed, and more frequently two to five years. It is difficult to estimate
the waiting period more specifically because birth parents usually select and
interview the family they wish to parent their child. For any type of adoption,
even after a child is found, you may have to wait weeks or months while final
arrangements are made.
After a child is placed with you, you must fulfill the legal requirements for
adoption. Hiring an attorney may be necessary at this time, if you have not
already retained one.
Usually a child lives with the adoptive family for at least six months before
the adoption is finalized legally. During this time, before the adoption is
finalized, the agency will provide supportive services. The social worker may
visit several times to ensure that the child is well cared for and to write
up the required court reports. After this period, the agency will submit a written
recommendation of approval of the adoption to the court, and you or your attorney
can then file with the court to complete the adoption.
