The 7 Steps You Need to Take in Order to Adopt

Adoption, Blog

Congratulations on your decision to adopt! You are about to embark on a great adventure and I could not be more excited for you. But how to get from “Yes, we want to adopt!” to actually adding to your family? The process of adoption can seem complicated but it can be broken down into 7 steps. I am here to provide an overview of those steps and answer any questions you may have. So, let’s dive in!

  1. Avenue(s) for Adoption

The first thing to do is decide how you want to adopt. There are 6 avenues for adoption and they include: agency, consultant, private, embryo, foster care, and international. Keep in mind, you do not have to choose one. If you would like to learn more about the specific avenues check out this blog post. [link]

 

  1. Choose an Adoption Professional

The next step is to find an adoption professional that can be a guiding partner to you and your family. When researching an adoption professional, you may consider fees, expertise and who you make a connection with. 

 

  1. Complete an Adoptive Home Study

This process can seem tedious but it is extremely important. The home study provides an overview of your family and your readiness to adopt. It’s a requirement to have a home study in order to adopt. 

 

  1. Create an Adoption Profile

This is a huge step! You can think of the adoption profile as a resume for an expecting mother. Much like professional resumes, first impressions are key to getting you an interview with an expecting mother. This is your opportunity to share a little depth about your family, parenting style, and more.

 

  1. Get Matched with an Expecting Mother

This is an exciting part of the process! You have been matched with an expecting mother who has agreed to move forward with you. Depending on the avenue you have chosen, this could be an opportunity for you to develop a relationship with the mother or define the expectations of the adoption agreement.

 

  1. Placement

Congratulations! You are now at the stage where a child is placed in your home. While the child is placed with you, there are still some moving pieces to finalize the adoption. During this process, you will have post-placement visits to make sure things are going well.

 

  1. Finalization

You’ve had your post-placement visits, now it’s time to finalize the adoption. Finalization can range from 30 days to 6 months depending on state laws. Once finalized, you are legally your child’s parents.  

 

Adoption is an incredible adventure. The process can be lengthy but it is worth it every step of the way. 

If you are interested in adopting and want more information, check out my comprehensive course, All About Adoption 101. 

 

Adoption and Beyond is a partner agency with BraveLove – A pro-adoption movement dedicated to changing the perception of adoption by acknowledging birth moms for their brave decision – and together we bring you some honest stories directly from birth parents. Watch the video below for Allison and Sherri’s Conversation Continued. When Alison placed her daughter Peyton with a loving couple 23 years ago, they could never have predicted how their story of open adoption would unfold. The outcome? A far deeper bond than they ever could have imagined. Interested in learning more about Placing Your Child for Adoption in Kansas and Missouri?  Check out our entire guide here.

Steffany ave

Founder & Director

adopt@adoption-beyond.org

Connect With Me

Meet Steffany Aye, the heart behind Adoption & Beyond since its inception in 1998. Fueled by a deep passion for supporting both birth and adoptive parents, Steffany's journey as an adoptive parent has continued the foundation for this non-profit adoption agency.

Drawing from more than 25 years of dedicated experience, Steffany and her team are committed to crafting warm, thriving families through child-centered adoptions. Their inclusive services, free from any form of discrimination, reflect Steffany's unwavering dedication to the beautiful tapestry of adoption.

We’d love to help you reach your goals.

WHERE ARE YOU IN YOUR JOURNEY?

I am Pregnant.

I want to Adopt.

I NEED A HOME STUDY.