How to Choose an Adoption Agency

With an estimated 1.5 million adopted children currently living in the U.S., choosing this route to becoming a family is a growing trend, according to the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute, a not-for-profit organization devoted to improving adoption policy and practice. Your quest for the child who will complete your family starts at a reputable adoption agency. Although there are an array of agencies available, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families suggests looking for one that has the characteristics or values that you find key to the adoption process.

Instructions

    • 1

      Decide whether you want to adopt domestically -- from inside the U.S. -- or internationally. Choosing to adopt internationally may mean finding a specialized agency that understands the country of origin's laws and adoption procedures.

    • 2

      Acquaint yourself with the different types of adoption. For example, in the U.S. you can adopt from a foster care situation; through a closed adoption, in which you get no information about the birth family; or an open adoption, one in which you are in contact with the birth mother.

    • 3

      Write a list of what you are looking for from the adoption process -- other than just saying that you want a child of your own. Include the amount of contact that you'll have with the agency staff, the personalization that you prefer and if you want an agency that has specific religious beliefs or values.

    • 4

      Look for an agency that specializes in international adoptions, if you choose to go this route. For example, the agency -- according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services -- should understand the U.S. federal laws, laws of your state and laws of the child's country of birth.

    • 5

      Ask a friend or someone that you know who has already gone through the process for a referral. Talk to other adoptive parents about their experiences with each agency, asking about their likes, dislikes and struggles. Seek out advice from adoptive parents from an online community -- such as adoption.com, adopting.org or Adoptive Families Circle -- if you don't know anyone who has been in a similar situation.

    • 6

      Interview the adoption agencies. Talk to the staff and get to know the people who will be helping you. Ask what services are provided and what they will not do for you.

    • 7

      Review the prices. Different agencies may charge different amounts for an adoption. Ask for a breakdown of the charges and compare one agency's costs to another.

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