Frequently Asked Questions from Adoptive Families
Can I adopt a Child who was born in the U.S.?
The answer is YES! Domestic Adoption is one of our special areas of expertise.
Can I adopt a child who was born in ANOTHER COUNTRY?
The answer is YES to that, too! International Adoption is our other area of expertise.
what is the difference between closed , semi-open, and open adoption?
Closed Adoption:
A closed adoption refers to a placement where no identifying information is exchanged, and the adoption agency selects the adoptive family.
Semi-Open Adoption:
Semi-open adoption occurs when the birth and adoptive parents prefer to have limited contact during the pregnancy and after the adoption. There is an exchange of non-identifying information, such as first names. There may be face-to-face and telephone contact before placement, but only letters and photos are shared through the agency or a private web page after placement.
Open Adoption
Open adoption refers to situations where there is some kind of ongoing, in-person contact between the birth and adoptive family and the child after placement. It involves exchanging identifying information, which may include names, addresses, and phone numbers; and may include periodic visits.
A closed adoption refers to a placement where no identifying information is exchanged, and the adoption agency selects the adoptive family.
Semi-Open Adoption:
Semi-open adoption occurs when the birth and adoptive parents prefer to have limited contact during the pregnancy and after the adoption. There is an exchange of non-identifying information, such as first names. There may be face-to-face and telephone contact before placement, but only letters and photos are shared through the agency or a private web page after placement.
Open Adoption
Open adoption refers to situations where there is some kind of ongoing, in-person contact between the birth and adoptive family and the child after placement. It involves exchanging identifying information, which may include names, addresses, and phone numbers; and may include periodic visits.
CAN BIRTH PARENTS CHANGE THEIR MINDS ABOUT MAKING AN ADOPTION PLAN?
Each state has its own set of adoption laws, rules, and regulations. Birth parents can change their minds up until they sign papers (sometimes called “surrenders”) relinquishing their parental rights or when a court terminates them. In some states they have a revocation period after signing papers. Birth parents can change their minds up until the revocation period has passed. In other states there is no revocation period, and the relinquishment becomes effective as soon as the papers are signed.
CAN I ADOPT IF MY Finances Are Less than perfect?
We review each family's situation on an individual basis. The actual amount you earn is less important than your ability to manage adequately on that amount. Please note, however, that some countries and USCIS do have minimum income requirements. If you have any questions about your qualifications, please discuss this with a staff member prior to beginning your adoption process.
CAN I ADOPT IF I HAVE health issues?
Applicants must be in good mental and physical health, with no serious medical issues that would impair their ability to parent. If an applicant has a chronic medical condition that is controlled by medication or is in remission, we will need a written medical statement from a physician or a specialist. Decisions will be made on an individual basis. Some countries do not allow applicants with certain health conditions to adopt a child.
who IS ELIGIBLE TO adopt?
We do not have any restrictions for adoptive families. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. Most countries, however, do have restrictions for international adoptive applicants. If you have any questions about this, please contact us.
DOES MY marital status MATTER WHEN ADOPTING?
We work with both single and married applicants. Couples must have been married for at least one year and/or demonstrate that they have a stable, long-term relationship where both parties are committed to adoption. Single applicants may have a longer wait than married couples and there may be restrictions on single parent adoptions depending on the country.
IS MY AGE A FACTOR IN ADOPTING A CHILD?
We work with adoptive applicants who are 21 years old and older. Alliance for Children does not have maximum age limit, though some countries do. Some countries may have a minimum age limit, too. In domestic adoption, older applicants may have more difficulty being selected by birth parents.
Do I have to be a united states CITIZEN to adopt?
No, for domestic adoption, applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents. For international adoption, at least one parent must be a U.S. citizen.
can military families adopt?
First of all, we want to THANK YOU for your service. Yes, you can adopt. We offer discounts for active military families, so please discuss this with our staff. We will work around any military-related issues that may arise during an adoption.
Can I afford to adopt?
We are committed to full transparency, have no hidden fees, and provide all fee information up front. If you are looking for financial assistance, check out funding resources on our Adoption Funding page.
Do you PROVIDE grants for adoption?
We do not provide grants but we can assist families in finding grants through our resources. There are many resources and grant programs we can direct you to, many of them listed on the Adoption Funding page.
is THE Alliance for children aN international, HAGUE-accredited agency?
Yes. We are fully licensed and have been Hague-accredited since 2008.
what countries can I adopt from?
You can adopt from many countries. You can choose to adopt through one of our international programs, or choose a country from one of our cooperative agencies. Alliance for Children currently has programs in Dominican Republic, Vietnam, Bulgaria, Romania, and Taiwan. Other countries that may be available to you through other agencies include China, Korea, India, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Jamaica, Haiti, and Latvia, among others.
How long does it take to adopt a child?
This varies widely. Some placements happen as quickly as six months while others take much longer. Many factors affect the length of time it takes to adopt a child. In domestic adoption, these factors may include the types of situations prospective adoptive parents are open to (level of openness to ethnic background, health situation, risk factors, etc.) and their own profile (ages, marital status, number of children already in the home).
In international adoption, these factors might include an adoptive family’s ideal age range, openness to special needs and to adopting a sibling group.
In international adoption, these factors might include an adoptive family’s ideal age range, openness to special needs and to adopting a sibling group.
What if i get pregnant DURING THE ADOPTION PROCESS?
Should you get pregnant during your home study or while you are waiting to have a child placed with you, you need to be prepared to delay the adoption. Every child deserves a minimum of nine months as the newest member of the family before a new child arrives. If the pregnancy occurs after a child has been assigned, we will make decisions to go forward on a case-by-case basis.
