Adopting through the foster care system involves going through the state agency, here in New Hanover County that is the department of social services. You have to go through a class prior to getting licensed as a foster parent as well as extensive home studies and back ground check. During this process you can be designated a foster to adopt home. Once you go through the process the agency will try to place children in the best placement possible. Typically state agencies prefer family placement but when that is not an option then turn to licensed foster parents. If you are designated a foster to adopt that means children will be placed in your care who are or will very shortly be available for adoption. Children in this situation tend to be older but there is a much more extensive process to make sure it is a good fit for all involved so that is a major positive to this type of adoption.

If you chose to go this route you have chosen to go through a licensed agency. The agency could be the state or it could be a separate licensed agency. Either type will be a longer process due to the procedures that are required. These agencies either have children through parents relinquishing their rights or the parents have had their rights terminated through the court system. In these situations the agency has the authority to consent to the adoption. Again, the length and requirements of this process help to ensure that this is a good fit for both the children and the prospective parents.

This is an adoption where the parties are not brought together by a licensed agency. The people can be brought together by some third party. This is typically a much quicker process if the biological parents are both in agreement with their child/ren being adopted as both biological parents must give consent for the adoption. This process is typically faster than the previously mentioned options but this is by nature an open adoption. All parties will know the other. This type of adoption requires certain paperwork be completed by the biological parents as well as a properly executed consent. The birth family will have a role in the selecting of the adoptive family and this tends to help all parties with the process. (Think Juno)

These types of adoptions can actually go very smoothly and certain requirements are waived depending on the relationship the child has with the relative or the step parent. Still the prospective adoptive parent has to have either the consent of the non-custodial parent or the rights of that parent has to be terminated by the court system.

This has its own unique pitfalls and positives. You have to make sure you get consent from all the parties that are required. For example, if the surrogate is married you have to get consent from her husband as he will be the presumptive father simply by being married to the woman giving birth. Fathers can give consent prior to the child being born but the surrogate or birth mother cannot give consent until after the child is born. Given the time frame you always need to be concerned with consent being withheld. Another issue is what the adoptive parents can pay for during the pregnancy. You have to be very careful because the state is very specific what can and cannot be paid for otherwise it could be considered coercion or a bribe and the adoption will not go through.

This can take the longest time. A lot will depend on which country you are adopting from if they are part of The Hague. This type typically has considerable expenses. Once you have met the requirements of the child’s country of origin now you have to bring the child home and file the proper paperwork to make sure your child is a United State citizen and adopted as per the state of North Carolina.

Whichever path you choose to grow your family we would be happy to help and let you focus on the joy your new family member brings to your life instead of being bogged down in the process.