Domestic Adoption Resources

Families researching adoption may sometimes feel overwhelmed by the number of information resources widely available on the Internet. Parents considering domestic adoption in the United States can often find reputable information published by U.S. federal agencies and state agencies, especially regarding the relevant adoption laws. As families review legal information and go through the process of adoption, they may also benefit from the emotional support offered by adoption magazines and other publications.

  1. Child Welfare Information Gateway

    • The Administration for Children and Families, a part of the U.S. Health and Human Services agency, publishes the Child Welfare Information Gateway as an informational resource for families. Though the website covers many topics related to children and families, including child welfare and foster care, the website has a specific section filled with adoption resources. The website includes information regarding many aspects of domestic adoption, such as legal resources, summaries of state adoption laws, directories of adoption agencies and child welfare agencies, post-adoption considerations and information related to birth records and reunion efforts. The website also includes overviews of the adoption process for both adoptive parents and prospective birth parents.

    MedlinePlus

    • The U.S. National Library of Medicine, offered through the National Institutes of Health, also provides information regarding domestic adoption through MedlinePlus. The MedlinePlus website provides an overview of adoption procedures, but also focuses specifically on health-related adoption issues. The website discusses health issues of interest to pregnant women and birth parents. Additionally, MedlinePlus includes articles about medical concerns, physical and emotional health topics and child development information relevant to adopted children, including kids who have experienced child abuse prior to their adoptions. MedlinePlus also provides links to financial and U.S. legal information that may be helpful to families considering adoption and families that have already adopted children.

    State-specific Information

    • In addition to learning about adoption from federal agencies, prospective adoptive families should also research the adoption laws of their own states. Domestic adoption laws vary depending on the state. The Child Welfare Information Gateway summarizes each state's domestic adoption laws and also directs interested parents to state agencies and other state-specific resources. Each state's child welfare agency can also generally provide parents with information regarding domestic adoption procedures required under state law and refer parents to licensed adoption agencies operating in the state. State child-welfare agencies also emphasize prospective adoptions for children in the state's foster care system.

    Adoption Magazines and Newsletters

    • Prospective adoptive families must process legal and financial information when deciding whether to adopt and navigate the procedures once they have committed to adoption. At times, the amount of information may feel overwhelming. Besides looking to government resources for information, families can also benefit from the support of adoption-related magazines and newsletters. For example, "Adoptive Families Magazine" publishes bi-monthly issues covering a variety of topics related to domestic adoption as well as international adoption. Past articles have included personal stories written by American parents who have experienced domestic adoptions in different U.S. states and advice given by parents who have already completed their children's adoptions. Magazines and newsletters for adoptive parents can provide more personalized viewpoints that government resources do not often include.

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