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Adoptive Family Articles

American Adoptions' Advantages

6 Reasons People Choose American Adoptions

You deserve a family, which is why we have designed an adoption program that provides complete services, support and financial protection to keep your budget safe when an adoption doesnt work out.

Our Agency Staff

Read profiles and view photos of the staff of American Adoptions.



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What is Domestic Adoption?

Our Domestic Adoption Program

Here’s what makes American Adoptions’ adoption programs and services stand out from the rest.

 



The Domestic Adoption Process [Complete Guide to How Adoption Works]

Consider this your complete guide to the domestic adoption process. If you are considering adoption and want to truly understand how it works, American Adoptions is here to help. Adoption is one of the most beautiful things you could ever do, and we’ll guide you through every upcoming step.



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About Birth Parents

How We Screen Pregnant Birth Parents

A sense of total security is often one of the main reasons why hopeful adoptive families work with a trusted adoption agency during the adoption process.

The Faces of Birth Parents
It’s no wonder that images of birth mothers tend to parallel the stereotypes of these women portrayed in the media: an uneducated 17-year-old drug addict deserted by her family, forced to “give up” her baby to an adoption agency in exchange for rent and money.
 
The evolution of adoption has been monumental in 20 years and even more dramatic in the past decade. Long, long gone are the days when women facing unplanned pregnancies “gave up” babies to adoption agencies as a “last resort.”
 
Placing a baby for adoption, rather than ending a life or choosing to parent despite an inability to fulfill a child’s needs, is an extraordinary expression of selflessness, requiring a complex decision-making ability concluding adoption to be a win-win-win choice.
 
Women who choose adoption not only choose to give the miracle of life to a new human being, but also to give the gift of parenthood to families who want nothing more in the world.
 
Doesn’t sound much like the characteristics of an uneducated girl with nothing left but despair and addiction?
 
That’s because birth mothers are far from embodying this one image. Rather, birth mothers encompass virtually every age group, ethnicity, marital status, profession and sexual orientation.


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Adoption Costs

Understanding Your Adoption Maternity Leave Rights

Most families need time off when an adoption placement occurs. Are your guaranteed family leave time by the FMLA? Learn about your adoption leave rights here.



How Much Does It Cost To Adopt A Child?

How much does adoption cost? Most people know adoption can be expensive, but what exactly does that mean? If you’re a family considering adoption, this is an answer you need to know. We’ve got you covered in this guide to adoption costs.



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Choosing a Professional

National Adoption Agencies: What Families Need to Know

What are the different types of adoption agencies, and who should you work with for the adoption process? This guide to national adoption agencies will help you decide on the right adoption professional. 



Adoption Attorneys and Why You Need Them

The adoption process is guided by laws and regulations at every step of the way. To complete it, you’ll need an adoption attorney. But what role should the attorney have, and what services can they really provide? Find out here.



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Adoptive Family Resources

Is Adoption Right For You?

Why Adoption? 3 Signs Your Family is Ready

“Why adopt? And am I ready to adopt?” Are both fair questions to ask — of both yourself and your spouse. A family’s decision to pursue adoption is one that rarely happens overnight. Click here to learn more about common reasons for adoption and whether it might be a good option for you.



Coping with Infertility: 5 Steps to Acceptance

When dealing with infertility, there are typically five stages of grief and loss that a couple may experience. Grieving infertility and experiencing these emotions is a normal and healthy way of transitioning from infertility to adoption.



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Adoption... What Type?

The Benefits of Contact with the Birth Parents

More than 9 out of every 10 women request contact with the adoptive parents. For this reason, we require adoptive families to be accepting of an open adoption. Read on to learn why we believe open adoptions are so important and how they benefit adoptive families.



Adopt a Baby with American Adoptions

The path to adopt a baby is not always a straightforward, but it can be beautiful. In this article you can get information on whether infant adoption is a good fit for you and how American Adoptions can help you along the way.



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Adoption and Everyone

State Adoptions

National Adoption Agencies: What Families Need to Know

What are the different types of adoption agencies, and who should you work with for the adoption process? This guide to national adoption agencies will help you decide on the right adoption professional. 




Adoption Attorneys and Why You Need Them

The adoption process is guided by laws and regulations at every step of the way. To complete it, you’ll need an adoption attorney. But what role should the attorney have, and what services can they really provide? Find out here.




Adoption Law Centers: What Families Need to Know Before Committing

Adoption law centers have become more popular in recent years for families looking to adopt. What are these centers? How are they run and regulated? This guide to adoption law centers will tell you everything you need to know.




Local Adoption Agencies: Pros, Cons and What Families Should Know

“Should I search for adoption agencies near me? What are the pros and cons of working with a local adoption agency?” This guide answers these questions and more so you can choose the adoption professional that’s best for your family.




Adoption Facilitators: Why Lower Cost Often Leads to Higher Losses

Adoption facilitators are a type of adoption professional that are not subjected to oversight or regulation, which can make working with one a risky decision. Here’s why.




Adoption Agency Regulations: Why Licensing and Oversight Matter

The adoption process is governed by laws and regulations, but not all adoption professionals adhere to these standards. Find out which type of adoption professionals you can be sure are conducting their work in an ethical way.




Adoption Home Study

Adoption Home Study Process

Learn what a home study is and why you need one to adopt a child.

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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.

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Home Studies: State by State

Find a qualified professional in your state to complete your home study.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do we need to retain our own attorney?

No, American Adoptions has established relationships with some of the best adoption attorneys in the nation. Because adoption laws vary from state to state and between counties, it is important to utilize the services of an adoption attorney who specializes in the state where the adoption will finalize, which is unknown until you match with an expectant mother. You have the right to retain your own attorney, but doing so may be an additional, unnecessary expense.

Can we choose the gender of our baby?

American Adoptions does not allow gender specificity in adoption. Any family who wishes to be gender-specific in their adoption should contact us at 1-800-ADOPTION and ask about the possibility of an exception waiver before taking any other steps toward adoption with our agency. Any families who do receive an exception to be gender-specific may also incur an additional fee, which helps cover the additional advertising costs of such a request.

Please note that gender specificity will likely increase your wait time significantly.

Additional Resources

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.

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Famous Adoptions

Learn which famous Hollywood actors, sports stars, politicians and other icons have been touched by adoption.

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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.

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