Types of Adoption Part One: Domestic Infant Adoption

by Pam Connell | More from this Blogger

28 Dec 2006 02:52 AM

There are three main types of adoption: domestic U.S. infant adoption, adoption from foster care/state welfare agencies, and international adoption.

Domestic infant adoptions, in many states, may occur in one of two ways: through an adoption agency, or privately arranged by a lawyer. One element these adoptions usually share is that the birthparent(s) have some say in who will parent their child. Many also include some degree of "openness"-that is, birth and adoptive parents have some information about each other, identifying or not, and usually plan for some form of ongoing contact, whether directly or through letters relayed by an agency or third party.

In agency adoptions, individuals or couples wishing to adopt apply with the agency, complete a homestudy verifying their basic suitability as parents, and then prepare a portfolio describing themselves, their home and community and extended family, their desire for a child, their values, their lifestyle, religion, occupation, their beliefs about raising children, etc. Pictures of the couple and home are included. Agency workers counsel the birthmother (and birthfather if he is involved) and learn their preferences for religion their child will be raised in, type of family, etc. They show several portfolios which appear compatible to the birthparents, who have the final say in choosing who will parent their child.

In private adoptions, the couple may already know a birthmother who wishes to make an adoption plan for her child. Sometimes the couple advertises their desire for a child. The couple hires a licensed social worker to complete a homestudy. When birthparents and adoptive parents agree, the paperwork is arranged by a lawyer. Fees vary widely. They include fees for the services of the lawyer and social worker, and may include some or all of the birthmother's prenatal care and hospital costs, living expenses during the pregnancy, and counseling.

See related blogs:

Private Domestic Adoption

What is the perfect family?

Raising An Adopted Child: #2 Newborns

Learn more about Pam Connell

Pam Connell is a mother of three by both birth and adoption. She has worked in education, child care, social services, ministry and journalism.

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