If you are considering adoption, you want to have a good idea of how long the process will take, start to finish. This blog looks at the whole process, and gives you a good estimate as to how much time each step should require.

Step One—Educating Yourself about Adoption/Choosing the Type of Adoption

The adoption process is complex, with a variety of options. You should take at least a month, and maybe as much as three months, to read about the different ways to adopt. You may also want to join an adoption support group, or attend an informational meeting at a local agency.

Once you feel sufficiently informed, you can make a good decision about whether you want to adopt domestically or internationally, whether you want an open or a closed adoption, or whether you want an agency or private adoption.

Step Two—Choose Your Agency or Facilitator/Begin Looking for a Child

If you’ve decided to use an agency, take the time to interview at least three different providers. The same principle applies if you plan to use an adoption attorney.

Once you’ve secured an agency or attorney, it’s time to start looking for a child. An agency will do this for you. With an attorney, you may get some assistance, but you may also need to be proactive about identifying sources for a prospective child. During this phase, you’ll be putting all the measures in place to find a child, but don’t expect to successfully complete that within six months. It’s possible, but can often take longer.

At this point in time, it’s also a good idea to put together a budget for the adoption.

This part of the process should take no more than six months.

Step Three—Complete the Requirements to Adopt

This part of the process includes the completion of the home study, the preparation of a profile for expectant mother review, and the preparation of all immigration and visa documentation, if you plan to adopt internationally. Expect this part of the process to take six to nine months.

Step Four—Complete the Adoption by Bringing Your Child Home

At this point, it’s a bit of a waiting game. With an international adoption, you are waiting for your referral, which provides you with preliminary information about your child. In a domestic adoption, you are waiting for a birthparent to choose you based on your profile. Depending on a variety of factors, this part of the process can take anywhere from nine months to two years.

Contact Our Office

To set up an appointment, call us in Haddonfield at 856-429-5005 or in Woodbury at 856-845-2555. We can also be reached in Philadelphia at 215-563-2150 or by e-mail. For clients with personal injury or workers’ compensation claims, we offer a free initial consultation, and will represent you on a contingency basis, only charging attorney fees if we recover compensation for you.
Our offices are open weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Weekend and evening appointments may be arranged upon request. We will also come to your home or the hospital, if necessary.