AdoptUSKids For Families

How to Adopt

 

There are seven basic steps to adopting from U.S. foster care. The first step is deciding you want to pursue adoption and contacting an adoption agency. It usually takes about a year from the time you first contact an agency to the time when a child is placed with you. This estimate can vary depending on the agency you’re working with and the State where you live.

Learn more about the seven steps to adoption below, including a video overview of what each step involves. If you aren’t sure you’re ready for adoption, you can also find out how to foster or contact us.

Seven Steps to Adoption
and Foster Care

The video is an excerpt from our film The Road to Adoption and Foster Care. You can also watch the entire film (Flash – 1:45 hr.).

Deciding to Pursue Adoption

Deciding to pursue adoption from U.S. foster care is the first step and where you will contact a local adoption agency and attend an orientation meeting.

Applying to Adopt

Applying to adopt is the second step and where you will complete required training and your application to adopt.

Completing an Adoption Home Study

Completing a home study is the third step and where your caseworker meets with you in your home to determine if you’re ready to adopt.

Getting Approved to Adopt

Getting approved to adopt is the fourth step where background checks are done and your home study is completed.

Being Matched with a Child

Being matched with a child is the fifth step and where the needs of a child or sibling group are matched with your family.

Receiving an Adoptive Placement

Receiving and preparing for an adoptive placement is the sixth step and happens after a potential adoptive match is indentified and agreed upon by you, your caseworker, and a child’s caseworker.

Legalizing an Adoption

Legalizing an adoption is the seventh and final step that is a judicial proceeding usually about six months to a year after a child is placed with you.

Being an Adoptive Parent

Being an adoptive parent is a new and wonderful lifelong journey. Just remember you’re never alone and there is a wealth of resources to help you along the way.

Get Social

Request to be contacted - get more information!
Join the Conversation
Meet the children in foster care by learning about adoption and foster care demographics and statistics across the nation.
Find inspiration through these real stories of success from families and youth whose lives have been changed for the better because of foster care and adoption.
Join the conversation in AdoptUSKids online communities to connect and share with families and child welfare professionals.
Sign up for our Newsletter