American Adoptions -- America's Adoption Agency
Comparing Professionals
Choosing the right adoption professional can mean the difference between completing a successful adoption within your desired wait time, and not.
It is very important for prospective adoptive families to know what they are looking for in an adoption professional, and to do plenty of research to learn what each type of adoption professional offers.
The articles below detail the differences between a national adoption agency, local adoption agency, adoption law firm, adoption law center, and adoption facilitator, and which might be best for your family.
For more information, contact American Adoptions at 1-800-ADOPTION, request more adoption information, or if you believe American Adoptions is right for your family, click to join now.
Choosing an Adoption Professional
| What should be your first step in the adoption process? Without a doubt, the most important step you will ever take is deciding which type of adoption professional is best for you. American Adoptions is one of the largest domestic adoption agencies in the United States, as well as one of the most trafficked adoption information Web sites. ... |
American Adoptions' Advantages
| Learn more about American Adoptions and what our agency offers you that other adoption professionals do not. |
National Adoption Agencies
| Definition - National adoption agencies are licensed adoption agencies who work across all 50 states. In many cases, national agencies are licensed in multiple states. Being licensed by a state, means the government of that state helps regulate, review and monitor the national agency’s compliance with state laws and regulations. ... |
Local and Regional Adoption Agencies
| Definition - While some national agencies have local offices, local agencies are typically smaller adoption agencies who serve a specific geographic location, such as a particular state. Advantages: Clients are able to meet face to face, which helps build trust and understanding. Local agencies also locate their birth mother’s face to face and do not rely on other professionals to evaluate their client in a direct setting. ... |
Adoption Law Firm
| Learn about adoption law firms and whether this type of adoption professional is right for you. |
Adoption Law Center
| Definition- Adoption law centers have come on more recently in adoption in the past five years and many clients wonder what exactly a law center is. A law center by definition is a corporation that is owned by a licensed attorney. Unlike a law firm, most adoption law centers actually refer their clients to separate law firms who actually provide the legal services. ... |
Adoption Facilitator
| Definition - Facilitators are unlicensed and unregulated companies who match prospective adoptive families with women considering adoption. Facilitators are usually small organizations with one or two staff members who often have no counseling background. Advantages: Good facilitators can be good at locating pregnant women considering adoption. ... |
How are Adoption Organizations Regulated?
| How are adoption organizations regulated? Adoption organization types Are they licensed or certified? If so, by whom? ... |
Deciding On a Domestic Adoption Professional
| Tips and advice on how to find an adoption professional to meet your needs and your budget. |
Preventing a Disrupted or Overturned Adoption
| Learn how to protect yourself from experiencing a disrupted adoption. |
Selecting a Home Study Professional
| Information on adoption home studies and how to choose a home study professional. |
- Adoption Home Study Process
Learn what a home study is and why you need one to adopt a child.
- Home Study Questions and Answers
While adoption home studies vary slightly from agency to agency and state to state, there are several key elements that are almost always included in every home study.
- Home Studies: State by State
Find a qualified professional in your state to complete your home study.
- What is the total cost for the entire adoption?
There are several factors that determine the total cost for an adoption, including the program you choose. Variables such as medical bills, birth mother expenses and legal fees vary for each adoption. We strive to maintain affordable adoptions without cutting corners. Please see the Our Domestic Adoption Programs section for further details.
- Can we choose the gender of our baby?
Have your heart set on a bouncing baby boy or a new little princess? American Adoptions now offers a gender-specific option for families hoping for a specific gender. With this option families would pay an additional Gender-Specific Fee to help our agency locate and work with birth mothers meeting this additional criteria. Please note that gender specificity may increase wait time. This fee is in addition to all other program fees and is not considered part of your adoption budget. Please contact us at 1-800-ADOPTION for minimum budget details.
- Do we need to retain our own attorney?
No - American Adoptions has established relationships with some of the best adoption attorneys in the nation. It is important to note that adoption laws vary state-to-state and often even county-to-county. As such, it is important to utilize the services of an attorney that specializes in adoption in the state the adoption will finalize in, which we will not know until you are matched with an expectant mother. Retaining your own attorney at this time is not necessary and may be an additional expense to you that is not needed.
- Adoption Newsletter
Did you know that American Adoptions offers a free bi-weekly e-newsletter? Sign up today to keep up-to-date on the latest in adoption news and information.
- Famous Adoptions
Learn which famous Hollywood actors, sports stars, politicians and other icons have been touched by adoption.
- Adoption Glossary
Do adoption terms and phrases leave you feeling confused? Learn the meaning to key adoption words and phrases with our comprehensive adoption glossary.
