Types of Adoption
There are four basic types of adoption: public agency adoption, domestic private agency adoption, international adoption, and independent adoption. Requirements, costs, and timing vary between and within the different types of adoption. To decide which type of adoption is best for you, think seriously about the type of child you would like to adopt (for example, an infant, an older child or group of siblings, a child from another country, a child who has special needs, etc.).
Public Agency Adoption
An adoption directed and supervised by a state or local Department of Human Services (or Social Services, or Human Resources, or Health and Welfare, or Child and Family Services, etc.)
Children Available
Children with special needs (kids who are harder to place due to emotional or physical disorders, age, race, membership in a sibling group, backgrounds); rarely infants.
Approximate Cost
From $0 to $1,500 (depending on the state, up to $1,500 of “nonrecurring” adoption costs for eligible special needs children may be reimbursed)
Who Can Adopt
Flexible eligibility requirements for adoptive parents; on a case-by-case basis, will consider single parents, parents over the age of 40, parents who have other children, parents with low incomes, etc.
How Long It Takes
Starts slowly, but for those who have an updated home study, placement can occur as soon as a few months after selecting a child.
Private Agency Adoption
An adoption directed and supervised by a privately funded, licensed adoption agency
Children Available
Sometimes handle special needs children; more commonly associated with younger children and infants
Approximate Cost
$6,000 to $25,000; lower for special needs children; some agencies have sliding fee scales
Who Can Adopt
Agencies may recruit parents based on race, religious affiliation, etc.; for infant adoptions, birth mother often chooses
How Long It Takes
A few months to a few years (sometimes longer for infant adoption)
International Adoption
Process of adopting a child who is not a U.S citizen, which may be accomplished privately through an attorney, or through an international adoption agency
Children Available
About 88 countries currently allow their children to be adopted by U.S. citizens—6 countries in Africa, 20 in Asia, 32 in Europe, and 30 in Latin America; ages range from infant to teens; health conditions vary; generally infants
Approximate Cost
$7,000 to $30,000 (varies by country; travel and travel-related expenses may be additional)
Who Can Adopt
Depends on agency and country requirements; some will accept single parents, most prospective parents are between 25 and 45 years old
How Long It Takes
Six months to several years depending on the child’s age and health, and the country’s political climate
Independent Adoption
An adoption initiated by prospective adopters and completed with help from an attorney or adoption counselor. Independent adoption is not legal in all states; also known as private adoption.
Children Available
Approximate Cost
$5,000 to $40,000 (includes prospective parents’ cost of finding a birth mother, certain birth mother expenses, and attorney’s fees)
Who Can Adopt
Birth mothers typically choose the adoptive parent — preferences tend to run toward younger, affluent, married couples
How Long It Takes
Variable; as long as it takes to find a birth mother who will see the process through to finalization