Perhaps they are struggling with fertility issues and unable to conceive naturally, or maybe they simply want to give a misfortunate child a shot at a great life.
Whatever your reason for wanting to adopt, we’re sure that you’re feeling very excited!
Still, if you’ve decided that adoption is the right choice for you and your personal situation, there are a few things that you should know before going through with the process.
Just read on to discover what they are.
You’re Going To Have Lots Of Paperwork
If you go ahead and make the decision to go through with the decision of adoption – you’re going to need to make sure that you have prepared yourself for the amount of paperwork that you are going to be required to go through.
While the type of paperwork required can vary depending on what country you are adopting in (see also “10 Best Countries To Adopt From“) as well as what agency your adopting from – you can expect (at the very least) to be required to provide the following documents and information:
Documentation showing proof of work, as well as income.
Family information.
Details surrounding your financial situation.
Personal identification.
Along with the basic information that you can expect to be required to provide above.
It’s also worth keeping in mind that you are also going to need to write a small autobiography detailing information about your childhood, the parenting style that you were brought up on as well as your general values, personal beliefs and desires for wanting to adopt a child.
In other words, you will be required to prepare a personal essay that will help the agency determine whether or not you are going to be a good fit or adoption at this stage in your life or not.
In addition to this, you might also be required to write a letter to the birth parents of the child that you will be adopting, but this is not always necessary.
You Will Need to Pass a Physical Examination
Along with having to provide all of the necessary information as we have detailed in the point above, you are also going to need to make sure that you have passed a physical examination by your doctor to ensure that you are fit and able to raise the adopted child should your application to do so be approved.
One of the biggest requirements of adoption is a clean bill of health, so you will be prompted at some point along the process to schedule an appointment with your doctor who will be able to provide you with a physical examination.
In the meantime, you should ensure that you are taking care of your health by eating clean and working out, while also making sure that you are dealing with any potential health issues you feel might impact your ability to adopt.
The Process Can Often Be Unpredictable And Lengthy
More often than not, the adoption process can typically be very lengthy and unpredictable, which means that there is no real way of being able to tell when you will be able to adopt a child.
For starters, there are many different types of adoptions that you can opt for, which can make it difficult to say when you’ll get to adopt, as well as what type of obstacles that you might face along the way.
For example, if you are planning a domestic infant adoption, then you are going to need to get the approval of the birth parents before you are able to legally adopt the child.
On the other hand, when it comes to international adoptions, the laws and regulations can often be very different, which might mean that you experience delays or problems along the way.
Regardless of what type of adoption you are currently considering, it is important that you are making sure to keep an open mind, expect the unexpected and stay as patient as you can throughout the process. We’re sure that it will be worth the wait!
It’s Important To Have A Reliable Attorney Or Adoption Agency
This is an extremely important point to keep in mind. If you are planning to adopt, you’re going to need to make sure that you are seeking the assistance of a professional (such as an attorney or reputable adoption agency) to ensure that you are meeting all of the necessary legal requirements to adopt your child.
As well as this, working with an attorney or adoption agency will also ensure that you are supported all the way through the process, as the adoption process can often be lengthy and confusing so you are highly encouraged to have the assistance of a professional.
The Day You Bring Your Child Home Will Be One of the Best Days of Your Life
Even though there’s no denying that the adoption process can be difficult, tiring and downright frustrating at times – it will all be worth it in the end.
When you get to hold your child and bring them home for the first time, your life will be changed forever (in all of the very best ways) and you will get the chance to be a parent at long last.
Expect to feel a mixture of emotions, including plenty of happy tears!
Wrapping Up
All in all? Even though the adoption process can be lengthy and expensive, we’re sure that you’ll agree with us when we say that it will be worth every second (see also “Why Is Adoption So Expensive?“).
Thank you for taking the time to read through this guide, we hope that we have been able to give you a better idea of what you should know prior to starting your adoption journey. Good luck with the adoption process!
Hi, I’m Joan Crassel, and I started my firm in 2006, with the goal to help and represent clients in a range of adoption-related matters.
Since then, the firm has gone on to aid hundreds of clients in adoption proceedings, and in other areas of family law.
With this site, I hope that you can find all of the answers that you are looking for, with in depth guides and informative articles from lawyers, not bloggers or social media influencers. We have actual first-hand knowledge of the adoption process, and can provide you with insight that no one else can.
