Adding a child to your family through adoption can be a complex and demanding process, but rewarding in the end.
Adopting a child can be a tough, drawn-out process, but domestic adoptions have many benefits, including lower cost and sometimes easier logistics. Adopting in Pennsylvania is similar to adoption procedures across the United States, but specific state requirements and rules must be followed. When you are done, you'll hopefully be blessed with the joyful addition of a child to your family.
Instructions
1. Choose an adoption agency to work with. There are several licensed adoption agencies that work with the Pennsylvania child welfare system to help adoptive parents find children. Check to see which ones have agency workers in your area of the state. See the Resources section for a directory.
2. Apply to be considered as an adoptive parent. In Pennsylvania, you must fill out an application and undergo initial screening as the first step to adopting a child. This will include a clean bill of health from your doctor, basic financial records to show you can support the child and a list of personal references. You also must pass a criminal background check and not have any history of child abuse. Drug- and violence-related felonies within the last five years disqualify you from adopting, and any conviction for specific sexual or violent crimes will disqualify you.
3. Do a home study with an adoption counselor. This is a series of meetings with you and a Pennsylvania adoption agency worker to see whether your home will be a good fit for adoption and to help you get ready for adopting a child.
4. Meet children available for adoption. Some prospective adoptive parents already know which child they want to adopt, particularly if they are currently fostering the child or if they are a relative. If not, the adoption agency will tell you about different children that might fit well into your home and introduce you to those you want to meet.
5. File a legal notice of your intent to adopt your chosen child. This should be filed by a lawyer licensed in Pennsylvania and is called a "Report of Intent to Adopt." There will be a six-month period before the adoption is finalized while the child is placed in the home with agency supervision and support for the family. This could be shorter if the child is being adopted by foster parents and already lives with them.
Tags: adoption agency, adoptive parents, child they, child This, child your