How Much Paperwork Does It Take To Adopt A Child?

It's a question that comes up every time we talk about adoption. We get lots of questions from people who are interested in adopting a child, but don't know where to start. It can be intimidating to think of the paperwork involved, but it's actually not as complicated as you might think.

Most of the paperwork for an adoption involves the adoption agency you work with. There's typically a packet of forms you'll have to fill out, and many will require you to submit to medical screenings before you can proceed. But the process isn't quite as onerous as you might think.

First, it's important to realize that you won't necessarily have to do anything other than fill out paperwork to get started. You can adopt from any of the three major categories of agencies: private agencies, public agencies, and state agencies.

Private Adoption Agencies

Private adoption agencies are the most common way to adopt. Private agencies are often run by churches, and are often open to couples in committed relationships. They're also generally very flexible and accommodating, and will work with you to make sure you meet any special needs you might have.

Some private adoption agencies only allow prospective parents to adopt children from other countries, but others will let you choose from any child available in the United States.

Public Adoption Agencies

Many public adoption agencies are government-run. State agencies are usually open to all prospective parents, and will work with you to find a suitable child for you. Some state agencies also provide a service to match children with prospective adoptive families, although that's not the primary focus of the agency.

In most states, the waiting period for adoption varies by the age of the child. A few states allow you to petition to adopt a child without having to wait for the birth mother to relinquish custody of the child.

State Agencies

State agencies are generally state-funded, and they will try to place children in homes where they feel like they're going to be cared for and nurtured. Most state agencies are closed to all but married couples, although a few will consider same-sex couples.

Most state agencies will work with you to find the right child for you, but some will limit the search to certain types of families. This can help narrow down the number of children you have to look at. For example, if you're looking for a child with special needs, the state agency may be able to direct you to children who need those services.

It's also important to understand that, even if you live in a state that allows same-sex couples to adopt, you may still have to go through the process of being married to be eligible to adopt. That means you'll probably have to travel to a state that recognizes your relationship, and if you're looking to adopt a child internationally, you'll have to be in a legal relationship there.

So how much paperwork does it really take?

The majority of the paperwork you'll need to fill out is actually pretty simple. Some agencies will provide a packet of forms to guide you through the process, and most of the forms will require you to just write down the answers that are provided.

The more in-depth paperwork you'll have to fill out will depend on which agency you work with, and the state you want to adopt the child from.

For example, if you're adopting a child internationally, you'll have to go through an international adoption process. This includes an interview with the country's embassy to determine whether you're eligible to adopt, and the application to the country's adoption agency. If you're looking to adopt a child domestically, you'll need to fill out the standard adoption forms that are provided by the state agency.

Once you've filled out the paperwork, it's time to get some medical screenings. Many private agencies will ask you to have these done before you start the process. The good news is that most of them are pretty easy. The screening usually involves getting a physical and checking your health history.

If you're adopting a child internationally, the embassy you work with will have you fill out an extensive questionnaire about your family. Once you're approved to adopt, you'll go through the same process for the country's adoption agency.

So how do you find a suitable child for adoption?

As we said earlier, there are three main categories of adoption agencies. Private agencies are the most common, but they can vary widely in what they're willing to consider. Public agencies are usually very open to all types of families, and they will work with you to find a child that's right for you. State agencies are usually very focused on placing children in homes where they'll be loved and cared for.

Most private agencies will work with you to find the perfect child for you, and they'll have a system in place to do that. In many cases, the process will involve a screening of the child, and the agency will choose a couple to interview. The agency may also conduct background checks on the parents of the child, although this isn't always necessary.