How to Adopt a Child?

Deciding to adopt a child is a selfless and caring thing to do, but at the same time it comes with many responsibilities and a willingness to make many sacrifices in one's life. Raising a child is a very difficult task that requires lots of time, patience and mostly love.

Adopting is ultimately a very rewarding experience, but for it to be done correctly, one must be prepared with the tools and knowledge to ensure that the adoptee is given the proper attention and support. So, if you are thinking about adopting a child, consider the following steps on how to adopt a child that are required in the process.

1. Do Your Research Before the Decision to Adopt a Child:

Not only will you need to ultimately decide if adoption is right for you, but you will also need to know what is involved in the entire process. Do as much research as you can and take your time. Adoption is not a process that should be rushed, and it will ultimately take more than a year to complete the process anyway.

Go to libraries and bookstores to read up on the latest knowledge about adoption, what you should know, the proper mindset that you should be in, etc. You can even look up the most popular books online before you invest time in reading them to ensure you learn about what you are looking for. You may even want to start a subscription to a magazine about adoption that will give tips for prospective parents deciding to adopt a child.

2. Select an Agency:

Select a licensed agency in the state in which you live in. The best way to select one is to receive references from other adoptive parents, or other informational services.

3. Undergo a Home Study:

A homestudy is when a social worker determines whether or not you and your home is fit to raise a child. Certain documents such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, and child abuse clearances will be necessary to complete the homestudy before you adopt a child.

4. Begin the Search for a Child:

Once you complete the homestudy, the search to adopt a child can begin. The homestudy can usually determine which is the best child group for you to focus on. The process on how to adopt a child can be different for each person. The best thing to do is to use the method that you believe will be the most affective.

5. Begin Adoption Process After Being Selected:

If you find a child that may be a potential candidate, before you adopt the child, information is exchanged between you and the agency that represents the child. As soon as you are approved to adopt a child based on your homestudy and other information, more information is shared.

6. Meet the Child:

You can now meet the child and go through several visits to get to know him or her. After some paperwork is completed, the child will soon be ready to be added to your family.

7. Finalize Adoption:

Eventually, you will receive a "placement date" when the child is allowed to join your household. The adoption is then finalized and becomes a legal part of your family. This usually involves one or more visits to a court as a judge finalizes the adoption.

The process after you adopt a child does not end after this. The next step is to raise the child and advice for raising the child can be given in various support groups. You can also make friends of people who have also adopted so you can help each other.

NEXT: Adoption Statistics