5 Paths For Legally Adopting A Child

There are many reasons for choosing adoption, and regardless of what those reasons are, legally adopting a child can sometimes be a complicated and prolonged process. Prospective parents also have a variety of different avenues to choose from when considering adopting a child, and below are some of the most common paths taken.
 

1) Adoption Agencies

Still the most commonly pursued and thought of path to adoption, adoption agencies facilitate legally adopting a child via placement with adoptive parents through a public or private agency.

Adoption agencies are regulated by the state and public agencies generally place children who have become wards of the state due to orphanage, abandonment, or abuse.

Private agencies more commonly place children who have been brought to them by a parent or parents who have or are expecting a child they have decided to give up for adoption.
 

2) International Adoptions

International adoptions have become more popular as a way of legally adopting a child after several high profile Hollywood stars began adopting children from China and other asian countries.

Through an international adoption, parents adopt a child who is a citizen of a foreign country. In addition to satisfying the adoption requirements of both the foreign country and the parents’ home state in the United States, the parents must also obtain an immigrant visa for the child through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Upon entering the united states, the adopted child will automatically be granted U.S. citizenship.
 

3) Independent Adoptions

Also referred to as a private adoption, an independent adoption occurs when no agency is involved in the process.

Independent adoption are arranged either directly between the birth and adoptive parents, or with the help of an intermediary such as an attorney, doctor, or even clergyperson.

Regardless of whether an intermediary is involved, any prospective parents considering this path are strongly encouraged to seek the help of an experienced family law attorney to guide them through legally adopting a child.
 

4) Identified Adoptions

Identified adoptions are a hybrid of an independent and agency adoption. Most commonly, the adopting parents and the birth mother find each other through some medium (online, for example) and then ask an adoption agency to facilitate the rest of the process.

Prospective adoptive parents are spared the waiting lists of agencies by finding the birth parent themselves, but they enjoy the benefits of the agency’s counseling services and experience with adoption legalities. It’s very common for adoptive parents to simply feel more comfortable if an agency is involved.
 

5) Same-Sex Adoptions

Unfortunately, same-sex adoption rules tend to vary from state to state. In California, single LGBT individuals are permitted to adopt, as well same-sex couples filing jointly.

California also permits a same-sex partner to petition to adopt a partner’s child or child of the relationship.