Types of Adoption
If you’re considering adoption, one of the first decisions you need to make is what type of care you feel led to pursue.
No matter which type of adoption you choose to pursue, you will need to work with an organization to complete paperwork, a background check, training, and a home study. A licensed placement agency can also help answer specific questions about which type of care is best suited to you and your family.
Adoption from foster care
Adoption from foster care is the adoption of a child from the U.S. foster care system. Currently the U.S. has approximately 100,000 children and youth waiting for permanent adoptive families, and each state has many children waiting. The state has determined that the child cannot safely reunite with his/her birth family and the parental rights have been terminated, and the only “parent” they have is the state in which they live. Often these children are a little older and/or are part of sibling groups. Adoptions from foster care range between $0 and $2,500.
Domestic infant adoption
This type of adoption usually means an infant adoption within the United States. There can be a bit of a waiting period and is usually accomplished by working with an agency who works directly with birthmothers. Often, the birthmother will choose the adoptive family for the baby. The adoptive family will also have input into the level of openness they feel comfortable with. A completely open adoption means the birth family is involved in the child’s life. Semi-open means they do have some access but it is more restricted (just notes, emails, and pictures delivered through the agency, for example). In a closed adoption, the child has no contact with the birth family. This type of adoption is usually $10,000-$20,000.
International or Intercountry adoption
This type of adoption involves adoption of a child that is a citizen of one country by parents who are citizens of a different country.* Depending on the country, the wait can be anywhere between 8 months and 4 years. This type of adoption is nearly always closed as many of the children overseas have been orphaned by death or abandonment. This kind of adoption can range between $15,000 and $40,000 depending on the country and agency you work with.