Want to know more about the adoption process? We’ll be honest: Like most
important decisions, it involves a good deal of paperwork. Once your child is
in your arms, you’ll probably forget about all the forms you filled out. But
until then, here’s a step-by-step guide.
A. Application form
Use WACAP’s two-page application
form to give us basic information about yourself and the child you want to
adopt. There is a $250 application fee. After we process your application, we’ll
send you our Adoption Handbook (a detailed, full-length guide to adopting a
child) and contact you about starting a homestudy.
B. Homestudy
No matter what kind of adoption you are considering, you’ll need to complete
a homestudy. An adoption counselor from an agency licensed in your state will
visit your home to discuss your lifestyle, immediate and extended family,
finances and reasons for adopting. Homestudy guidelines vary from state to
state, but the process usually takes four to six weeks.
The agency that conducts your homestudy doesn’t have to be the same one
that helps you find a child. WACAP conducts homestudies in Washington, Oregon,
New York, Connecticut
and Alaska; in other states, we can give you the names of several licensed
agencies who will provide WACAP your homestudy, and then we will work with you
through the completion of your adoption.
C. Adoption Documents
For a African-American Infant adoption, you’ll need to provide family photos
and a letter to your child’s birth parents.
For a US Kids adoption, you'll need to provide family photos.
D. What Happens Next
After you’ve completed your paperwork and paid your fees, it’s a waiting
game. The length of time is different for each adoption and each country, and
can depend somewhat on the type of child you want (there’s usually a higher
demand for girls, so you may have to wait longer). Here’s how adoptions are
processed once your homestudy/dossier is finished:
International adoptions—WACAP sends your homestudy and dossier, if
required, to a placing agency in your chosen country. Officials there
review your dossier and match you with a child. The waiting time depends on
how long it takes to identify and complete legal processes for a child who's
a good match for your family.
African-American Infant adoptions—WACAP sends copies of your photo
album and birth parent letter to counseling agencies across the country.
These agencies work directly with birth parents, who review the information
from several families and choose one. The waiting time is a matter of
waiting for birth parents to select your family.
US Kids adoptions—WACAP sends copies of your homestudy to state
social workers, who send us photos and profiles of children who match your
preferences. The waiting time depends on how long it takes us to gather
several profiles for you to consider.
Family Finders adoptions—These are unlike any other WACAP adoption,
in that you can review profiles of many children in need of families.
The waiting time is often shorter.
