CNC Information

Adopting a child is an action that has permanent consequences for the couple or individual doing the adopting and to the child or siblings being adopted. It takes lifelong dedication to make it work not only for the adoptive parents, but for the children as well. One has to be prepared to deal with the financial, emotional, and other types of commitment that are required in order to make the relationship a success; one must be ready to give the love the child or children needs. It is not something to be undertaken by the faint of heart, and it is certainly something that must be done for the right reasons.

There are several avenues available to those looking to adopt a child. The one you prefer will naturally be dictated by discrete factors in your life, like finances, health, lifestyle, etc. These avenues include:

Domestic Adoption – this is adopting a child (infant or older) from the U.S.

Foster Adoption – this is on type of domestic adoption and this means adopting a child from the US foster care system

Relative Adoption – this is adopting a stepchild or relative

International Adoption – this, of course, means adopting a child from another country

The choice of adoption type will influence the laws that will affect the adoption, so one must know what kinds of placements are possible in the regions concerned. For example, adoptions which span state lines must comply with the adoption laws of both jurisdictions before the placement can be allowed. A set of laws called the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children governs adoption transactions across state lines.

If the adoption is international, then one will need to comply with federal laws and the originating country's laws, as well as state laws, in order for the adoption to proceed.

The type of adoption being considered will also affect the professionals a person will encounter as they go through the adoption process. Among these are:

Adoption agencies are subdivided into two general types: public and private. The public adoption agency handles placement of children from the foster care system and is publicly funded and state-run, whereas the private adoption agency is a private concern licensed by the state which can help process most types of adoption.

Private (or independent) Adoption

This method is coursed through an adoption attorney, who may or may not (depending on the laws of the state in which the adoption is to occur) locate and arrange an adoption opportunity. Laws concerning private adoption vary from state to state, so it is best to retain the services of an experienced adoption attorney.

Adoption Facilitators

These individuals help match up birth parents with adoptive parents. They are not licensed as adoption agencies or attorneys, and usually do not require a fee for their services (except in a few states). If an Adoption Facilitator is paid for his or her services, this could be deemed improper conduct and this could affect the adoption; it might even raise issues concerning criminal statutes in certain states. Adoptive parents should be careful about using Adoption Facilitators; discussing the matter with the attorney or agency which will process the adoption is recommended.