Step One:

Request to be contacted by AdoptUsKids to learn more about fostering and/or adopting. Call 1-888-200-4005 or complete an online contact form.

You will receive a response either by email or in writing that will provide important introductory information.

After that, you will receive a call or email from someone who can answer questions about adopting and/or fostering. There is also basic adoption and foster parenting information available on this site.

 

Step Two:

Gather information and be prepared to ask questions.

Each U.S. state, District of Columbia, and U.S. territory needs adoptive and foster parents and establishes guidelines for fostering and adopting. That state agency can approve families to foster and/or adopt. In many states, there are also nonprofit and/or private agencies which can provide the services, too.

Your public agency is always available to:

• Give you a list of the licensed public, nonprofit and private agencies in your area
• Provide orientation
• Answer questions
• Suggest resources, including parent support groups

Families can adopt children from other states. The children must be legally free for adoption and the families must complete the process to be approved to adopt a child from foster care.

Families who wish to adopt must be approved to adopt a child from foster care before they inquire about an individual child or sibling group whom the family has seen on AdoptUsKids.org.

 

Step Three:

Click on your U.S. State, District of Columbia, U.S. territory or other location (or choose your location from the dropdown list) to review specific information about foster parenting and adoption.