How to Find Older Kids For Adoption

When hopeful families first consider adoption, they often imagine a newborn or infant, but that’s not always the case.

• There are many kids available for adoption depending on the type of adoption you choose.
• It’s important to know about the different types of adoption agencies that can help you adopt an older child.
• Your adoption professional will help you find kids that need to be adopted.

If you want to adopt an older child, then this guide will explain everything you need to know about the kids waiting for adoption along with some helpful information about adopting an older child. Even though we specialize in domestic infant adoption, we support all kinds of adoption that provide children with the loving families they need.

To get more adoption information about infant adoption, you can fill out this contact form whenever you’re ready to reach out. To learn more about older kids for adoption, keep reading.

Where Can I Find Kids Available for Adoption?

When you’re looking for older kids available for adoption, there are adoption agencies dedicated to help with the placement of toddlers or older children. Depending on your situation, you may be able to work with a private domestic, international or foster care adoption agency.

Each of these agencies will have its own pros and cons of working with them. But, in general, here’s what it’s like to adopt an older child from each type of agency:

• Foster care adoption agencies: When you’re looking at kids for adoption, you’ll have a better chance of adopting an older child through foster care adoption. Although the main goal of foster care is to reunite children with their birth parents, there are some cases where the biological parents’ rights have been terminated. Then, the child will be available for adoption. If you’re hoping to find older kids available for adoption, then fostering to adopt, foster parenting or foster care adoption could be right for you.

• International adoption agencies: If you’re looking for older kids available for adoption in another country, then there are many opportunities to adopt a child internationally. Some international adoption agencies allow you to specify the age range of the child you want to adopt. It’s important to make sure the international adoption agency you choose is Hague-accredited and licensed in the country you plan to adopt from.

• Domestic adoption agencies: Although some domestic adoption agencies can help with the placement of an older child, they mainly specialize in newborn adoptions. If you’re looking for older kids that need to be adopted through a private domestic adoption agency, then your options may be limited. It might be better to work with a foster care agency or international adoption agency.

What Are the Benefits of Adopting an Older Child?

When you’re looking for older kids available for adoption, there are many lifelong benefits involved. For older children and teenagers in particular, being adopted can be an instant, gratifying experience.

Benefits for the Child

• Educational encouragement and support through middle school, high school and beyond

• Parental guidance during major life milestones

• A place to come home to during the holidays, birthdays, family events and more

• Financial help during the early years and into adulthood

• A family that will love them forever

Benefits for You

• The freedom of having a self-sufficient child who may not need as much help with simple tasks

• No daycare costs depending on their age and your situation

• The ability to talk about adoption with your child

• Gaining a new member of your family

• The reward of knowing that you changed a child’s life

How Much Does It Cost to Adopt an Older Child?

When you’re looking for older kids available for adoption, the costs will depend on the agency you work with. Here’s what you can expect the cost to look like for each type of adoption agency:

International Adoption Agencies

International adoption can often be one of the pricier routes to take, as it can cost up to $50,000. Make sure that you have the funds to cover your visa, your child’s visa, travel arrangements and much more.

Before you get ready to travel, make sure you’re prepared for everything that comes with adopting an older child internationally.

Domestic Adoption Agencies

Although domestic adoption can cost anywhere from $45,000 to $75,000, it can be a way for you to grow your family depending on the age of the child you wish to adopt. There aren’t many older kids waiting to be adopted, but there are many notable services that come from working with a domestic adoption agency.

At American Adoptions, we help with the placement of children under 4 and know just what it takes to find you the perfect adoption opportunity for you.

Foster Care Adoption

When you’re trying to find older kids available for adoption through foster care, it’s often one of the least expensive routes you can take. Many of the services these agencies cost little to nothing because of state funding. Some states even offer reimbursements through a foster care subsidy.

Foster care adoption costs are minimal. Even though you may be required to pay for the costs upfront, these costs can be offset by financial assistance and subsidies.

Although American Adoptions can handle the placement of toddlers and older children up to 4 on a case-by-case basis, we specialize in newborn adoption. To learn more about our domestic infant adoption program, call 1-800-ADOPTION or fill out our contact form to get more free information now. 

Disclaimer
Information available through these links is the sole property of the companies and organizations listed therein. American Adoptions provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.