From Carrie Craft,
Your Guide to Adoption / Foster Care.
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The best place to begin any adoption process is with Information! Learn all you can. Adding a child to your family is a huge decision. Join adoption support groups. Talk to others who have adopted. Read books and check out web sites. Call agencies and request their literature. Ask questions! Carry around a note pad so if questions come to mind you can jot them down at any time.

Decide whether or not to adopt domestically or Internationally.

Select the agency or attorney you will be working with. and begin the home study and start any classes that are required. If adopting through the state see Adopting by State for information and contact numbers.

From here the steps vary depending on the state and/or agency you have chosen and whether or not you are going international. If you have decided internationally than see the article, Getting Started with an International Adoption for more information.

The next phase is the actual match of a child to you and/or your family.

You will then be able to read the child’s file and ask any questions you may have on the child’s background.

Prepare for the arrival of your child by buying furniture, clothes, or other needed items. Consider waiting on having a party to keep from frightening your child with so many new faces. It can be a scary time.

File the petition to adopt.

Finalize adoption in court.

Decide on any post-adoption services you may need. The agency should go over these with you.

With International adoptions there will be other paperwork to file and gather. Ask the representatives at the agency you have chosen to work with about any missing paperwork.

I wish you all the best of luck in your adoption journey. Remember to take good care of yourselves as this can be not only a rewarding, but a stressful time in your lives.