The Adoption Process

Learn about adoption

• Join an adoptive parent support group
• Read adoption books, magazines, and websites.
• Attend a pre-adoption information session hosted by local adoption agencies or conferences. See advice for researching adoption professionals.

Minimal

Make preliminary decision about type of adoption

• See the Decision Matrix
• Review country overviews
• Find out how long it takes to adopt.

Understand financial implications of types of adoption. See sample budgets on the Sample Adoption Budgets page, and check out AF's guide to financing adoption.

Complete homestudy

• Discuss homestudy questions with your spouse/partner/family members.
• Collect documents (references, birth certificates, tax returns, marriage certificate, divorce documents)
• Work with your homestudy provider on tasks specific to his or her process.

0-$200 for copies of documents. $750-$3,000 for the homestudy fee.

Start steps to be matched with a child

• For international, prepare dossier and file U.S. visa paperwork
• For independent, begin networking and advertising activities to identify birthmother.
• For domestic agency, prepare dossier for birthmother review.

Typically one-third to one-half of parent preparation fee due at start of homestudy, half due at end. With international, visa and documentation fees average $1,500-3,000. If agency adoption, half of child placement fee is due at this time.

Receive child referral (international) or birthmother selection (domestic)

• Arrange for referral documentation review by adoption medicine specialist. Find out what questions to ask and signs to look for with our guide to adoption medicine.
• If independent, make arrangements for payment of birthmother expenses, per your arrangement and as allowed by state law. Make payment arrangements with medical providers.

If agency, final half of child placement fee due now. Birthmother's medical, legal, living and/or counseling expenses will be paid from this time until the birth of the baby.

Placement of child or birth of baby

• Enjoy! You are a new parent! Find professional suggestions for bonding with your baby and learn how other parents forged an attachment.

Outstanding agency fees, if any, and travel expenses, if any, due now. International fees and expenses due now. If independent, birthmother’s hospital expenses due now (baby’s medical expenses likely covered by your medical insurance).

Finalization of adoption (domestic newborn or foster)

• Arrange for post-placement reports, as required.
• Select attorney for final court hearing, or learn how to represent yourself.

If foster adopt, assure that adoption assistance agreement is in place before finalization and check the availability in your state of reimbursement for one-time expenses. Post-placement fees average $300-$1,000; finalization costs with attorney are typically $500-$2,000.