The adoption process is a legal and emotional journey where a person or couple becomes the permanent parent of a child. Adoption transfers all parental rights and responsibilities from the birth parents to the adoptive parents. It creates a lifelong legal and family bond.
In most countries, adoption follows specific steps set by law. These steps ensure the child is placed in a safe, stable, and loving home. The process involves legal paperwork, background checks, and often a period of adjustment before final approval.
There are different types of adoption:
- Domestic infant adoption involves adopting a newborn from within the country.
- Foster care adoption happens when children in the state system are legally free for adoption.
- International adoption means adopting a child from another country.
- Private adoption is arranged directly between birth parents and adoptive parents, often with the help of a lawyer.
Each type of adoption has its own rules, timelines, and costs. Some take a few months, while others may take over a year. All adoptions follow a legal process to protect the rights of everyone involved—especially the child.
Who Can Adopt a Child?
Anyone who meets legal and agency requirements can adopt a child, but the rules vary by country, state, and adoption type. Most adoption agencies and courts look for stable, responsible adults who can provide a safe and loving home.
Key requirements often include:
- Age: Most states require adoptive parents to be at least 21 years old. Some agencies prefer parents to be at least 25.
- Marital status: Both single individuals and married couples can adopt. Some agencies may have preferences, but the law allows both.
- Financial stability: Parents must show they can meet a child’s basic needs without relying on adoption-related benefits.
- Health: Physical and mental health are considered. Chronic or severe illnesses might require medical documentation.
- Background checks: All adults in the home must pass criminal background and child abuse clearances.
- Home environment: A clean, safe, and stable home is important. Home studies review living conditions and daily routines.
Agencies also consider emotional readiness. Adopting a child involves lifelong commitment, patience, and the ability to support a child through various life stages.
Some international adoptions have stricter rules. Countries may set limits based on age, income, religion, or family size. U.S. citizens adopting internationally must meet both U.S. and the sending country’s standards.
Choosing the Type of Adoption
Choosing the right type of adoption depends on your goals, budget, and preferences. Each adoption path has different legal steps, timelines, and levels of contact with birth families.
The main types of adoption include:
- Domestic infant adoption: Involves adopting a newborn from within your country. Birth parents usually choose the adoptive family. This option often includes open or semi-open contact.
- Foster care adoption: Involves adopting a child from the public child welfare system. Many of these children are older or part of sibling groups. The process is often less expensive and may include government support.
- International adoption: Involves adopting a child from another country. This process includes immigration paperwork, travel, and approval from both countries. It often has strict age and income requirements.
- Private adoption: Arranged directly between adoptive and birth parents, often with the help of an attorney. It usually involves infants and may move faster than agency adoptions, depending on state laws.
Each path offers unique benefits:
| Type | Average Wait Time | Typical Age of Child | Cost Range (USD) | Contact with Birth Family |
| Domestic Infant | 1–2 years | Newborn | $20,000 – $50,000 | Open/Semi-open/Closed |
| Foster Care | 6–18 months | 1–18 years | $0 – $2,500 | Often none |
| International | 1–3 years | 1–6 years (varies) | $25,000 – $45,000+ | Rare or none |
| Private | Varies | Newborn | $10,000 – $40,000 | Depends on agreement |
The type of adoption you choose affects every step ahead, from legal requirements to post-adoption support.
Selecting an Adoption Professional
Choosing the right adoption professional is one of the most important steps in the adoption process. The professional you work with will guide you through legal requirements, paperwork, matching, and post-placement support. Your choice affects how smoothly the process goes, how much it costs, and how long it takes.
There are several types of adoption professionals. Licensed adoption agencies handle everything from home studies to matching and placement. They often provide counseling and legal services as part of the package. Adoption attorneys help with the legal side of private adoptions. They’re especially useful when birth parents and adoptive parents find each other independently. Adoption facilitators or consultants offer support and connections but are not legal experts or licensed agencies, and their use is restricted or banned in some states.
When choosing a professional, look for transparency. A reliable agency or attorney should clearly explain their fees, timeline, and services. Ask about their experience, success rate, and the number of placements they complete yearly. Also check if they provide support for both adoptive parents and birth parents, especially in open adoptions.
It’s also important to ensure the professional is licensed in your state. Many families choose national adoption agencies because they often offer more resources, flexible matching options, and shorter wait times. However, local agencies may provide a more personal experience.
Completing the Home Study
Home study is a required step in every legal adoption. It’s a detailed review of your life, home, and readiness to adopt. Its purpose is to make sure the child will live in a safe and supportive environment.
A licensed social worker conducts the home study. It includes interviews, background checks, home visits, and paperwork. You’ll be asked about your upbringing, relationships, parenting style, lifestyle, health, and finances. If you’re married or in a partnership, both adults will be interviewed together and separately.
Background checks are done on every adult in the household. This includes criminal records, child abuse history, and sometimes driving records. You’ll also need to provide personal references, medical reports, and proof of income.
During the home visit, the social worker will inspect your living space. Your home doesn’t have to be large or perfect, but it must be clean, safe, and have enough space for a child. Basic safety checks are common—such as working smoke detectors, locked medicine storage, and safe sleeping areas.
The home study process can take a few weeks to a few months. Once approved, you’ll receive a home study report. This document is required for all adoptions and is often needed during legal proceedings and matching.
Creating an Adoption Profile
An adoption profile is a key part of connecting with a birth mother or adoption agency. It introduces you and your life to someone who may choose you to adopt their child. The goal is to show who you are in an honest and relatable way.
Most profiles include written stories, family photos, and details about your daily life. You’ll share your values, your reasons for adopting, your hobbies, your work, and your hopes for your future child. If you’re adopting as a couple, the profile should highlight your relationship and how you support each other.
Agencies may ask you to create a printed book, a digital profile, or a short video. These materials are shared with birth parents considering adoption. Many birth mothers choose a family based on the emotions and trust they feel when reading or watching the profiles.
Being genuine is necessary. Avoid trying to look perfect. Instead, focus on what makes your family unique, safe, and loving. Birth parents often look for kindness, stability, and shared values. Including simple daily moments—like cooking meals, walking the dog, or spending time with family—helps build emotional connection.
Some agencies help with profile design and writing. Others may offer tips or review your draft before sharing it. A strong adoption profile increases your chances of a match.
Matching With a Birth Mother or Child
The matching process begins once your adoption profile is active. Birth mothers or adoption agencies review your information to decide if your family is the right fit for the child. This stage can take weeks or several months, depending on the type of adoption and your preferences.
In domestic infant adoption, a pregnant birth mother usually chooses the adoptive family. She may look for shared values, lifestyle, or emotional connection. Some adoptive families are chosen early in the pregnancy; others are matched closer to the due date.
In foster care adoption, matching is often done by caseworkers. They look at your home study and match it with children who need permanent families. This may include sibling groups, older children, or kids with special needs.
In international adoption, the match is handled by foreign adoption authorities. You might be matched with a child based on age, gender, and medical needs you agreed to in advance. The process may also include approval from your home country and the child’s country.
After a match, you may have the chance to speak or meet with the birth mother. Some matches include phone calls, video chats, or in-person visits. If the adoption is open or semi-open, ongoing communication may also be arranged.
Once both parties agree to move forward, the adoption agency or attorney begins preparing for placement.
Placement of the Child
Placement is the moment the child officially enters your care. It marks a major step in the adoption process and begins the legal and emotional transition toward becoming a permanent family.
In domestic infant adoptions, placement usually happens shortly after the baby is born. Most states require the birth mother to wait a certain number of hours or days before signing legal consent papers. Once she signs, the baby can be placed with the adoptive family, either at the hospital or shortly after discharge.
In foster care adoptions, placement may take longer. Children are placed once the court terminates the birth parents’ legal rights and all paperwork is complete. Foster families adopting the child already in their care may have a smoother placement process.
In international adoptions, placement often happens during a scheduled trip abroad. You may spend days or weeks in the child’s home country completing local legal steps before receiving custody.
Placement may be direct or involve a short transition period. Some agencies arrange pre-placement visits, especially for older children, to help the child adjust gradually. Emotional preparation is important for both the child and the adoptive family. This phase can include counseling, education, and bonding time.
After placement, you begin a temporary legal guardianship. The adoption isn’t finalized yet. Social workers will conduct post-placement visits to assess the child’s adjustment and ensure a safe environment.
Finalizing the Adoption Legally
Finalization is the legal step that makes the adoption permanent. It officially gives you full parental rights and legally recognizes you as the child’s parent. Until this point, you may have temporary custody, but not full legal responsibility.
To finalize the adoption, your adoption professional schedules a court hearing—usually a few months after placement. During this time, a social worker completes post-placement visits to check how the child is adjusting and to confirm that your home remains safe and supportive.
At the court hearing, a judge reviews the home study, legal documents, and post-placement reports. The judge may ask you a few questions about your relationship with the child and your reasons for adopting. If everything is in order, the judge issues a final adoption decree. This legal document finalizes the adoption and changes the child’s legal status, name (if chosen), and birth certificate.
In domestic adoptions, this step usually happens 3–6 months after placement. In foster care adoptions, finalization may take longer, depending on the court’s schedule and any pending case issues. In international adoptions, the process may include re-finalization or recognition in your home country, depending on the laws involved.
Once finalized, you become the child’s legal parent in every way, with full rights and responsibilities. You can now update legal documents, such as insurance, Social Security, and school records.
Post-Adoption Support and Responsibilities
After the adoption is finalized, your role as a legal parent begins fully—but support doesn’t end there. Post-adoption services help families adjust, build strong bonds, and handle challenges that may arise over time.
Most agencies or social workers provide post-placement visits for several months after finalization. These check-ins help assess the child’s emotional, physical, and social adjustment. They also give adoptive parents a chance to ask questions or request support.
Adoptive families may need ongoing counseling or therapy, especially in cases of trauma, grief, or identity challenges. This is common in foster care and international adoptions, where children may have experienced loss or instability.
In open adoptions, maintaining contact with the birth family is often encouraged. This may include letters, photos, phone calls, or visits, depending on the agreement made. Respectful and healthy contact helps many adopted children understand their background and strengthens identity.
Parents are also responsible for handling all legal updates after finalization. This includes applying for a new birth certificate, updating health insurance, and notifying schools or childcare providers of the adoption.
Post-adoption resources may include:
- Support groups (in-person or online)
- Parenting classes
- Educational materials on adoption
- Special needs services (if applicable)
Adoption is a lifelong journey, not a one-time event. Staying informed and supported helps adoptive families grow stronger over time.