Children in the care of the state, who have been removed from their biological parents, due to neglect and abuse, may become available for adoption. These children range in age from newborn to 18 years, with the average age being 9 years of age. They may be an only child, or part of a larger sibling group. Some may have special emotional, developmental or physical needs.

Families can become licensed through CPS or a private Child Placing Agency to adopt these children. Below is an outline of the three most common ways to adopt children from the foster care system.

Thousands of children in foreign countries become orphaned or are abandoned by their parents, and are in need of adoptive families. Each country has their own unique system for arranging international adoptions. The laws governing international adoption are complex and subject to change depending on that countries politics.

When investigating international adoption, it is helpful to acquire a list of open countries who are currently allowing children to be adopted by American families. It is important to know the ages of children available, average waiting time to finalization, cost and whether that country is a part of the Hague Convention. Adoptive families should choose only reputable overseas adoption agencies that work with the governing bodies of other countries. An added expense to overseas adoptions is the cost of travel required to complete the process in a foreign country. Hotel rooms, food, translators, international legal advisers and airfare can quickly add to the cost. While the cost of an international adoption is generally higher than domestic adoption, infants and younger children are generally more available, and the wait time can be more predictable.

Many women give birth to infants each year, who are then lovingly placed for adoption. These mothers may be very young, single, have too many children to care for, or just feel unready to parent. These women may ask someone they know and trust, such a family member, or a couple at their church, to parent their child. Others may turn to agencies to help them choose from qualified parents who have been approved by the agency. Birthmothers or Birthparents may be able to peruse a binder of prospective families and choose one they feel would be the best match for their child.

Parents wishing to adopt a newborn, may choose to pursue a private domestic infant adoption. These adoptions may be arranged by traditional adoption agencies and through private attorneys. The children adopted in these cases are almost always infants, although they are sometimes adopted along with older siblings. Fewer infants are available for adoption than any other age group, and agencies may set tighter regulations for adopting them. The wait time for this type of adoption can be as long as 2 years, and the average cost is $15,000, but can range from $5000 to $40,000.

It is of the utmost importance that private infant adoptions take place through the proper legal channels, and not be consummated through casual agreements. These non-legally bound adoptions are often the few and far between “adoption revocation horror stories” you may hear of.

While not seen as a traditional method of adoption, a growing number of blended families means a higher rate of stepchild adoptions. These children may face many of the same losses and struggles as any other adopted child, but alongside the comfort of one biological parent.

Stepparents wishing to adopt their stepchildren need to carefully consider the lifetime role they wish to play in the child’s life. Some older stepchildren may resist being adopted by stepparents as well. If the other biological parent is still living, they may have to agree to the adoption.