Common Adoption Options Offered By Adoption Agencies

Adopting a child is a dream come true for aspiring parents; however, undertaking the adoption process isn't always easy. One challenge that people face is choosing the adoption option that best suits them. There are several options to choose from, so it can become overwhelming while trying to decide. If you are considering adoption, read ahead to discover some common types of adoption offered by adoption agencies.

Foster Care Adoption

Adopting a child from the child welfare system is one of the most common types of adoption. When the court has terminated a child's parents' rights, they may be able to find an appropriate home in foster care. The child can either be adopted by an adoptive family or foster parents. Foster parents that intend to adopt can select the foster-to-adopt option. Some states allow straight adoption from foster care, while others demand that one is first approved as a foster parent before going through the complete adoption process.

International Adoption

International adoption involves adopting from another country. You can either adopt a child whose parents have relinquished their birth rights or one from an orphanage. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services has some mandatory requirements each adoptive family needs to fulfill before undertaking the adoption process. Both adoptive parents need to be US citizens and have to adopt the child jointly.  You also have to be stable enough to raise a child, and in case you are not married, you have to be above 25 years old while filing the immigration petition and at least 24 years old when filing the suitability application.

Adult adoption

The adult adoption process is one in which an experienced couple or individual legally adopts another. Adults who have been adopted may experience emotional and physical healing from the trauma they've gone through while being placed with families that did not love them unconditionally. There are several types of adult adoption. It can be done by foster parents who opt to adopt their former foster child who is no longer under the child welfare system. LGBTQ parents can also get a chance to adopt their spouse's child, who they previously could not adopt.  A stepparent can opt to undertake adult adoption for a stepchild in a situation where the other biological parent's rights were never relinquished. A couple can also assume the parent role for another adult as a way to form a lasting and meaningful relationship with some legal benefits.

Contact an adoption agency near you to learn more.