Step's To Adopt A Child

Step 1: Find A Agency
It's important to educate yourself on different adoption agency's, working with professional adoption agency's you trust and feel more comfortable around will make a difference. When you have found the one for you they will get information from you to send you a packet of stuff to look through and fill out. keep in mind that you have to be 21 years of age and older in some states.
Step 2: Attend an Orientation
After you receive your packet of information, call one of the agency listed in the packet and make an appointment to attend an orientation or register on-line. At the orientation, adoption professionals will give you an overview of the adoption process, guide you through every step of the process, and answer your questions.
Step 3: Complete the Adoption Application
At the end of the orientation, you will be given an application to fill out. Return the completed application to your adoption recruitment agency. Once social workers have reviewed it and are satisfied that the basic elements are in place, they will contact you to begin a home study.
Step 4: Have a Home Study Prepared
The home study provides the child welfare agency and the courts with comprehensive information needed to place a child in your care. You and your social worker will meet several times during the process. You will submit various documents including copies of your birth certificate(s), marriage license (if applicable), income tax returns, and medical reports completed by your physician. All adults in your home must be fingerprinted and cleared through the State Central Registry for Abuse and Neglect. Depending on the particular circumstances, a home study can take up to several months.
Step 5: Complete a Training Series
While the home study is underway, you will attend an 8-10 week you will be in training, where you will learn parenting skills, assess your own strengths as a parent, and better understand the particular needs of adoptive children.
Step 6: Be Matched With a Child
Now you are ready to begin the matching process. You will have the opportunity to Meet Kids, that are waiting for adoption. Your agency will assist both you and the child to make the right match. At this point, you and the child(ren) can begin visiting each other.
Step 7: Get to Know Each Other
After visiting, the child(ren) will move into your home. During this pre-adoptive phase, you and your child will get to know each other. You will learn about your child's medical and family history. You will also learn about adoption subsidies and reimbursements. You will sign an Adoptive Placement Agreement. The agreement says that you will take care of the child and intend to adopt.
Step 8: The Child is Placed in Your Care
After the children move into their new home with you, it will take approximately 6-8 months — and in some cases longer — before the adoption can be finalized. The agency will remain involved with both you and the child during this time.
Step 9: Choose an Attorney to File the Adoption Petition
When you are ready to finalize the adoption, you will hire an attorney and work with your agency to file the adoption petition in Family Court. Fees for your adoption attorney will, in most cases, be reimbursed.
Step 10: Finalize the Adoption
Your adoption petition will be reviewed in family court. When the judge approves the match, you and your child can go to court to sign the final adoption papers. Congratulations! You are now a family.