If you want to adopt a child from the United States, WACAP can help. We work with private and public agencies throughout the country to find families for legally available children over age 6 who are in the foster care system.

If you live in Oregon or Washington, you're also eligible to adopt a child as young as 3. To do that, you'll need to become licensed as foster parents. This enables WACAP to match you with a child who has a court-ordered adoption plan. You can then serve as that child’s foster parents while you wait for the child to become legally free for adoption.

Some children are part of sibling groups, and need to stay together. Some have physical, emotional or developmental concerns. Some have experienced neglect or physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse. But each child’s greatest need is for a permanent home with a loving family.

Some kids who need homes are highlighted every week through our A Family for Me initiative, but we have access to information about many more waiting children.

We’ll waive both your $250 application fee and your adoption fee if you adopt a child who’s 7 or older (that includes many of the children featured in A Family for Me), a sibling group of three or more, or a child with significant medical needs. E-mail the for more information.

Singles and all couples are welcome to adopt. Remember that children affected by neglect and abuse have particular immediate and long-term needs. In order to adopt such a child, you should know about these needs and be willing to address them. You're required to complete the foster and adoptive parent training available in your community.

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

You may specify the child’s age and ethnicity. If you live in Washington or Oregon, you may adopt a child as young as age 3. (Most children we place are from these states, and in our experience, social workers prefer in-state placements for younger kids.)

The following families should be open to children age 8 and older, to children of either gender and to children with special needs:

• Families outside Washington and Oregon
• Single parents
• Nontraditional families

Applications from families outside Washington and Oregon will be considered on a case-by-case basis. We serve children and families of all ethnic backgrounds. Families who can document Native American ancestry will receive priority for Native American children. In some situations, it may be easier to adopt if you obtain a foster care license.

 To help your adopted child make the transition to your home, you will be asked to visit the child in his or her state of residence.

• Approved homestudy

After approval of your homestudy, it can take from two to 18 months to match you with a child. The waiting time depends on the type of child you want to adopt. WACAP doesn't decide which child is placed with a family; that decision is made by the public agency with custody of the child. Many factors may contribute to the placement decision, including the family’s preparation for adoption, their training or experience with a child’s special needs and their openness to contact with the child’s extended family, as well as interest in a child of that age, ethnic heritage or gender.

WACAP believes that financial concerns shouldn’t prevent qualified families from adopting. When you adopt a waiting child from the United States, you are eligible for a loan to cover the agency fee. Also, 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.

To find answers for your specific parenting concerns, try a parent support group. A large adoption agency in your area, or your state’s child services department, should have information on local contacts. If you live in the Puget Sound area of Washington state, please consider bringing your questions to WACAP’s monthly support group for parents of older children. You can also visit the WACAP Adoption Forum for WACAP parents who've adopted children 2 and older.

WACAP’s Family Finders program seeks parents for U.S. children about whom we already have specific information. When you adopt through Family Finders, the waiting period is often shorter, and you may be eligible for a fee reduction. You can view pictures and profiles of some of these children.

Thinking about adoption? Thousands of children 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 US Kids adoption FAQ for further details.

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