Guidelines to Choosing an Adoption Agency
Choosing an adoption agency and / or an attorney is a task in which there may be several opportunities. It is important to select the adoption professional that best meets your needs. Here is a list of suggestions to help birthmothers and birth families make the right choice for their adoption professional.
Suggestions:
- Get referrals from friends or others that have adopted or have placed their child for adoption
- Ask how long the attorney or agency has been working in adoption
- Find out what services they provide before and after the adoption
- Find out if there are any costs of the adoption that you must cover
- If needed, ask if the agency places minority or biracial children
- Ask the adoption agency for a list of referrals
- Determine if the adoption professional works with open or closed adoption and the attorney’s views and experience with both types
- Inquire about the availability and credibility of counseling
- Learn about the adoption plan, contract, and decrees
- See what the procedures are on finding out the health and stability of the adoptive parents.
Last Updated: 03/2005