Exploring Child Adoption Options

Adopting a child is a significant decision that needs to be given a lot of thought. It is a process that entails so much emotional and financial investment. Most of the time, we encounter several terms that we may not be very familiar with. Here is a listing of the different kinds of child adoption and what they mean.

· Agency Adoption - Parents can opt for either a public or private agency. Public agencies can help you save more on adoption costs as they usually render services for 0$ to $2,000 depending on the state. They also have less rigid eligibility requirements for parents. Public agencies are a good place to start if you're seeking to care for children with special needs (kids with physical or emotional disorders). With most of these public agencies however, the adoption process may take long unless you have an updated homestudy. Private agencies may be able to provide speedier processing. But they are more expensive, with rates ranging from $6,000 - $25,000. They also tend to be stricter with eligibility requirements and may enlist parents based on race, religious affiliation, etc. Birth mothers also have the option to choose the adoptive parents in cases of infant adoption.

· Closed Adoption - This is a procedure wherein the adoption of an infant is made secret. Birth parents become anonymous to the adopted child. Records of the adoptee's natural parents are sealed and kept confidential. A second, amended birth certificate is issued to the infant, bearing the name of the adoptive parents (as though they were the natural parents). Although this type of adoption still exists, it is becoming less popular as more parents now find open adoption more appealing.

· Domestic Adoption - An adoption of a child within the same country in which the adoptive parents live.

· Foster Adoption - usually begins as a temporary arrangement for the child to live with the foster parents when biological parents are incapable of caring for them. Once the child is legally free, the foster parents can then take steps to formally adopt the child.

· Identified Adoption - In this case, both birthparents and adoptive parents usually already know each other and seek the help of an adoption agency or an independent adoption worker to complete the adoption.

· Intercountry/International Adoption - A type of adoption wherein the child and the adoptive parents live in two different countries. This is one of the most costly types of adoption with expenses ranging from $7,000 - $30,000. This process may be very paperwork - intensive. The adoption may be privately completed through an attorney or through an international adoption agency. Several factors are taken into consideration such as the political climate of the country where the child resides.

· Interjurisdictional Adoption - Applicable when the child and the adoptive parents live in different jurisdictions (different states or counties -- each state/county may have certain adoption laws that are specific to that area).

· Joint Adoption - when the adoptive parents live together but are not married.

· Independent Adoption - An adoption that does not make use of a licensed adoption agency. The process is instead accomplished through a go-between such as a lawyer, physician, or other mediator. This usually involves infants, and birthmothers usually select the adoptive parent.

No matter what adoption route you decide to take, it's always important to be aware of all your legal rights and options. Make sure you are informed before you take any drastic actions or make any major decisions. Keep yourself educated and explore your options through research, and by getting in touch with the right people. Adoption is a life-changing journey that we should be well prepared for.