Answers to Common Adoption Questions

by Katrina Cassel

I have two biological children and three adopted children, one a private adoption from Iowa, one from Haiti, and a child adopted out of foster care. When people hear that I’ve adopted, many of them ask questions about the adoption process. Here are some of the questions I am frequently asked, along with some answers:

Most people can adopt. In the past, single, handicapped, and older adults were discouraged from adopting. Now many agencies are willing to work with different types of people in a variety of situations. However, they may be limited in what type of child they can adopt. Some agencies do not want more than a 40-year age difference between the parents and child, so the parents may have to adopt an older child than what they had hoped for. Sometimes families with biological children are not eligible for infants.

Adoptive parents generally must be over 23 years of age, have a steady income and have a home that meets state safety requirements. Married couples are usually required to have been married at least three years. Adults with a criminal record or abuse charges may find it difficult to adopt. Some agencies will work with those with a criminal record if it has been many years since the charges. Most agencies require a psychological profile, which is a verbal or written test of personality and character traits.

Yes! Agencies require a homestudy. This includes your educational and work background, your past and present family life, financial standing and references. Christian organizations often require a statement of faith and pastoral reference. In addition, you may be required to have a physical exam and TB test. You will probably be fingerprinted and fill out papers for a police check and abuse screening. Overseas adoptions require additional paperwork.

Cost varies according to the type of adoption. Some states have many children in foster homes who are available for adoption. They may be over 4 years old, in sibling groups or have special needs. State adoptions are usually inexpensive, ranging from $50 to$500. Sometimes the state will give families adopting a special needs child a one-time grant or a monthly subsidy to help with the additional expenses required for care of a special needs child such as therapy, counseling and medical expenses.

Adopting from an agency may cost anywhere from $4,000 to $20,000. This fee covers the homestudy, legal fees, medical fees, counseling and followup visits. An independent adoption using a lawyer costs about the same. Adopting a child from overseas generally costs between $8,000 and $20,000. This includes the same fees as an agency adoption plus a country fee, usually $3,000 to $9,000, travel, visas and blood tests and a physical for the child.

Again, that varies according to the type of adoption. It can take between nine months and three years, maybe longer if you desire a certain type of child. Waiting time for a healthy white infant is usually the longest. Adopting a child from overseas can also require a long wait while paperwork is translated into another language and approved by a foreign government.

Check your local parenting magazine for information. Also, look in the phone book under social services. When you call an agency, ask about their adoption procedures. Contact Adoptive Families of America and request their free guide to adoption. It will explain the different types of adoption and give a state-by-state list of adoption agencies.

Adoption is not always easy. Carefully consider your options and decide if you have room in your heart for a child needing a home. Adoption isn't for everyone, but it is a wonderful way to build a family for many people.

Adoptive Families. Bimonthly magazine put out by Adoptive Families of America, 2309 Como Ave., St. Paul, Minn. $24.95/year.

Guide to Adoption. Resource that includes information about different types of adoptions, costs, procedures, support groups, networks, state-by-state listing of adoption agencies and more. Same address as above, $3 for postage.

Adopting Your Child by Nancy Thalia Reynolds, Self Counsel Press. Extensive, up-to-date material is presented in outline form. This book has everything you need to know for adopting within the United States, as well as adopting overseas and adopting step-children.

Adoption: Parenthood Without Pregnancy by Charlene Canape, Henry Holt and Co. Information about the types of adoption, children available for adoption, raising adopted children and adoption by singles is presented.

The Adoption Resource Book by Lois Gilmore, Harper and Row. This book gives all the information families need to get started in the adoption process including state and regional addresses for waiting children.

Raising Adopted Children: A Manual for Adoptive Parents by Lois Ruskai Melina, Harper Perennial. This book provides support and advice for parents of adopted children such as how to talk to your child about his adoption, how to inform his school and how parents and adopted children bond.

Katrina Cassel, M.Ed., lives with her husband, five of their children, and an assortment of pets in the Florida panhandle.