Adoption can occur in a variety of ways. The ultimate goal is to provide a safe and healthy home for a child whose parents are unable to provide one for him or her. Some adoption options require a longer time to complete and may cost more than others. There are other aspects of each type of adoption that you should consider before deciding which type is best for your family and situation.
According to the Adoption Center, despite the type of adoption you choose, you may enter into a closed or open situation. A closed adoption is where you have no contact with the birth family. In an open adoption, you may have regular contact with the birth family. In addition, with an open adoption, you often have access to more information about the birth family, which is especially useful when it comes to medical history. While every adoption will either be a closed or open situation, the type of adoption may vary.
Independent
An independent adoption occurs between you and the birth family. You may go through an adoption agency. This type of adoption does not usually involve the state. Rather the agency will set requirements and handle the process. You will still have to go through the court to make the adoption legal and meet legal requirements for adopting, but you may not have to go through counseling or undergo other requirements typical of the state system.
Many independent adoptions are infants. There is a high demand for adopting infants, so this can often mean you will wait a long time before there is a child you can adopt. Sometimes, you will start the process while the mother is still pregnant.
Foster system
You can also adopt through the foster system. The state runs this system and sets the requirements you must meet, such as home inspections and mandatory counseling. Children in the foster system are often older in age. They may currently live with a foster family or in a group home. The biggest hurdle with adopting from the foster system is that you will often have to wait a long time for the termination of parental rights so that you can legally adopt the child.