Available Adoption Situations

Technology has enabled more available adoption situations to open up to traditional and nontraditional adopters over the last few decades. From infant adoption to international adoption, more prospective parents are able to find the best placement for their family.

There are two locales from which to adopt: domestically and internationally. International adoptions are primarily handled by private agencies. Domestic adoptions are handled by private and public agencies, attorneys and facilitators. The most common form of adoption is that of adopting infants from women seeing an unplanned pregnancy to term. About two-thirds of these adoptions are facilitated independently by an attorney. The adoption of older children is more common for international and public agencies to handle. Public agencies place adoptable children from within the U.S. foster system with permanent homes. This is a process that can take up two years, if an adopter is participating in a fost-adopt or legal risk program.

If you're a traditional adopter, between the ages of 25 and 35 and married, then you have the most flexibility in the available adoption situations. You'll be welcomed by most agencies and birth mothers. It's a slightly different tune for nontraditional adopters.

Nontraditional adopters include those who have disabilities, are unmarried, over 35 or are gay. These adopters are usually advised against pursuing domestic infant adoption and are told their best chances for placement are highest among older children, those with special needs, or international adoptees.