WACAP’s African-American Infant adoption program works with private counseling/placing agencies throughout the United States. These agencies search for adoptive families for children relinquished for adoption. Usually (but not always) the birth parents make the final choice of an adoptive family.

The adoptive family pays WACAP a fee to process the adoption. At the time of placement, the family also pays a fee to the placing agency. This fee can total $13,000 to $20,000, depending on legal costs, placement costs and the needs of the birth mother. You may evaluate the services and fee structures offered by various placing agencies and choose the agency you want to work with.

The infants placed through this adoption program are newborn to 3 months old. Most are African-American; some are biracial or multiracial. To participate in this program, you must be open to adopting an African-American child. The program doesn't allow gender choice; you must be open to either a boy or a girl.

When you're matched with a child, WACAP will give you all information provided to WACAP that you can study before deciding whether or not to adopt that child.

WACAP accepts applications from single adoptive parents as well as all couples. You'll need to send us a minimum of 10 to 20 photographs depicting your family's lifestyle, as well as an introductory letter written to the birth parents.

You also need to have a homestudy completed by a licensed adoption agency. WACAP conducts homestudies in Washington, Oregon, New York, Connecticut and Alaska; in other states, we can give you the names of licensed agencies.

Adoptive parents travel to the child's state of residence. States may require one parent to stay up to two weeks.

After approval of your homestudy, it usually takes three to 11 months to match you with a child.

WACAP's African-American Infant Revolving Loan Fund has been established to facilitate adoption of African-American children. No-interest loans of up to $4,500 over three years are available on a revolving basis to families at all phases in the adoption process. As loans are repaid, future loans are available for other families.

Are finances a barrier to adoption? U.S. families may receive a tax credit of up to $11,650 when they adopt a child.  Find out about this and other sources of financial assistance.

Thinking about adoption? Hundreds of children in the United States need loving adoptive parents. us for more information. Or download an application form. (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download the application. Please click on the link below to download this free software from Adobe.)

Every adoption is different. During the adoption process, you may be asked to supply more documents, comply with new policies or meet other requirements. Our staff will always do their best to keep you informed.

See our African-American Infant adoption FAQ for further details.

Check our news page for the latest update on adoption from the United States.