Statistics

• Approximately 135,000 children are adopted per year.
• In 2018, 63,123 children were adopted from foster care in the US.
• More than 1/3 of adults have considered adoption, but only 2% have actually adopted a child.

Process

• The first step in adopting is deciding whether to adopt through foster care or a private agency.
• One must also consider whether they want to adopt internationally or domestically, what age they want to adopt, and if they want an open or closed adoption.
• Foster care adoption costs average at about $2,000.
• Private domestic adoptions range from $25,000 to $50,000, and international adoptions range from $30,000 to $80,000.
• When working with a private adoption agency, it is important to research what each agencies' "fee" includes. Not all agencies include the same things and there may be additional costs.
• No matter how one adopts a child, a home study is required before a placement can be made. This involves a social worker investigating both the potential family and their home.
• In private adoptions, the adoption still needs to be finalized even after the baby is brought home. It can take up to 18 months to finish the final paperwork.
• Many agencies conduct a Post Adoption Supervisory Report to see how the family and child are adjusting to the adoption.
• Once all the paperwork is completed, the family attends a final hearing to gain official legal custody of the child.