Baby Steps: A Walk Through of the Adoption Process

While each adoption process can differ slightly depending on the situation, the general outline of the steps are the same. I'll try to clarify those steps in this post, at least for Adopt International.

1. Adoptive parents come to the office for a free consultation with Lisa Clark. The consultation is a meeting in which Lisa gives papers discussing rules and regulations for adopting in different countries and introducing clients to the Adopt International program.
2. After the initial consultation, clients, if they have decided to proceed with the process will apply for a home study. Adopt International is one of few private agency that is licensed to complete home studies. A social worker will come to the adoptive parents house for the home study.
3. After the home study, they start the program they applied for.
4. If they applied for international adoption they would begin to fill out the paperwork for immigration.
5. If it is the domestic program they would begin their outreach. For outreach couples create a letter explaining a bit about themselves and why they want to adopt. Adopt International will edit and look over it then supply the family with the name of a company that compiles a list of OBGYNs across the country. The adoptive couple then mails 3000 letters with their pictures attached to the doctors and clinics from the list.
6. In addition the the letters the adoptive parents also create 15 picture books that are a bit more in depth than the letter. The picture books talk of each of the spouses families, their lives together, their likes and dislikes and jobs.
7. The books are kept on hand and sent out to birthmothers if an interest is shown in one of the letters presented to her at her doctors or if she is in direct contact with the agency.
8. Birthmother and adoptive parents now contact each other on the phone or in person and introduce themselves.
9. Once a possible match has been made, the birthmother speaks with Lisa or whomever is in charge of the case about what she wants in relinquishment contract. Some birthmothers may want a very open adoption with up to four visits a year or little to no contact. Adopt International only does open adoptions and all choices are up to the birthmother.
10. The birthmother then sets a date to meet with Lisa to have her rights as a birthmother read to her and make sure she understands them fully. No papers are signed during this meeting.
11. A second meeting is then scheduled and the birthmother signs the relinquishment forms.
12. Once the relinquishment forms have been signed, the birth father termination papers are the next forms that need to be completed. The attorney of the adoptive parents sends in these forms.
13. Step 13 is....waiting! Everyone waits for the baby to be born! Adoptive parents are responsible for pregnancy related expenses (maternity clothes, transportation to her doctors office, tests that may need to be done, ect.). The Birthmother and parents can also use this time to get to know each other.
14. Once the child is born, the adoptive parents sign a placement agreement and a risk statement. Once the state of California recognizes these papers, the birthmothers contracts is legally binding.
15. The family then has 6 months of supervision with their social walker which includes 4 post placement visits.
16. After the post placement visits, the adoptive couple then goes to court finalize the adoption.
17. Then they live happily ever after!