Adoption: Where Do I Start?

Inside:

• Who Are the Children Available for Adoption?
• What Options Are Available?
• Who Can Adopt?
• Steps in Agency Adoption
• Independent Adoptions
• Openness in Adoption
• How Can You Learn More About Adoption?

Adopting a child can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. However, for adoption beginners, the adoption process can seem overwhelmingly complicated, time consuming and frustrating - especially if you are eager to get started. This factsheet provides some basic information about possible adoption alternatives and is designed to give you an understanding of the adoption process. This factsheet is one of a series of 35 adoption-related factsheets produced by the Clearinghouse, so please check the listing of other factsheets at the end for more detailed information on related topics.

Adoption at the end of the 1990s is very different from what it was even 10 years ago. Prospective adoptive families can feel vulnerable as they attempt to learn as much as possible in the shortest period of time to become informed consumers of adoption services.

The first step is to read and to educate yourself about adoption in general, the types of children available to adopt, and the various avenues to adoption. There are many informational resources available-guidebooks are listed at the end of this factsheet along with an annotated list of national adoption organizations. Adoptive parent support groups throughout the United States have members willing to assist those who are considering adoption. State Adoption Specialists in each State can send you information to help get you started. As you learn more, you will become better prepared to make the choices that are best for you.

Who Are the Children Available for Adoption?

Families of all kinds adopt children of all kinds, from newborns to teenagers, of every race and ethnicity, and from many countries around the world.

U.S.-born Infants

Many prospective parents seek to adopt healthy infants, often of a background similar to their own. In the United States, a relatively small percentage of healthy, Caucasian infants are placed for adoption. Most Caucasian infants are placed through agencies and independent adoptions.

African-American, Hispanic, and mixed-race infants are available both through public and private adoption agencies. The adoption of American Indian children (of all ages) by non-Indians is strictly limited by the Federal Indian Child Welfare Act (P.L. 95-608). Fees and waiting times for infants vary tremendously, depending on the type of adoption involved.

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