Older Child Adoption

Domestic Selection Process: Your profile is presented to individuals considering an adoption plan. You attend workshops needed to complete state licensing and address life-long topics concerning parenting. Once your home study is complete and you are chosen as prospective parents, a match meeting occurs with you and the birthparent(s). If both are comfortable with each other, the placement planning continues. Once placement is made, the agency will continue to visit you for six months after receiving the child. These visits satisfy state requirements and finalize your adoption. Most states require the couple to file a court petition, after bringing the child home, and wait six months before the final adoption decree is issued. The adoptive family is evaluated during this time. It is not a time the birth parent(s) can change their mind.

International Selection Process: You may be referred to another agency that specializes in adoptions from your country of choice (known as a Source Agency). Your two agencies will work together to keep you informed. Your home study agency will usually provide the post-placement services. You are contacted when a child matches your request. Infants are referred at birth and up to twelve months old. Toddlers and older children referrals may already be on file at your source agency. You may request a girl or boy, however gender requests depend upon the agency and country of choice. You must be open to premature birth, low birth weight, and developmental delays due to the previous stated conditions, institutional care or prior neglect. You may receive pictures, video and/or a medical report of the child. You decide whether you will accept this referral. If yes, you begin completing your dossier (documents required for adoption in that country).