Domestic Adoption

The process of adopting a child domestically involves several steps. First, a person wanting to adopt must be eligible to do so. If a person is eligible, the next step is to decide between an agency or a private adoption. The prospective adoptive parents then must choose an open or a closed adoption. The adoption process is finalized by performing a home study and post-placement report, terminating the rights of the birth parents and filing paperwork with the court.

This information about domestic adoptions is meant to be an informative guide and does not replace the need for an experienced attorney who is knowledgeable in a particular state’s adoption law. Any prospective adoptive parent or prospective birth parent should consult an attorney in his or her state to find out more about what is required for a domestic adoption and whether adoption is right for his or her circumstances.

Adoption Laws
A person’s age, criminal history and marital status may affect his or her chances of adopting a child.

Agency Adoption
Deciding between an agency and a private adoption involves considerations such as cost and the desired age of the adopted child.

Home Study
All states require home studies of prospective adoptive parents before they are allowed to adopt a child.

Termination of Parental Rights
Before an adoption is finalized, parental rights of the biological parents are terminated.

Last updated: Sept. 25, 2008