Child Adoption

Child adoption is an option many people choose for a variety of reasons. Most people turn to child adoption because they are unable to have biological children while others may want to adopt a relative or welcome another child to their family.

Child adoption gives the adoptive parents the legal rights and responsibilities of the child. It gives the adoptive parents the invaluable experience of raising a child while giving the child a safe home and a loving family.

The court determines the consent of the biological parents and reviews other information on the adoptive parents and the child, before finalizing the adoption. After the court reviews the required information, the child adoption is finalized upon the judge’s approval. A new birth certificate is often issued at this stage replacing the child’s birth name with his or her new legal name. The names of the biological parents are replaced with the names of the adopted parents in this birth certificate.

Child adoption can take place through an agency, an adoption attorney or an adoption facilitator depending on the state’s legal requirements. Child adoption agencies can be public or private. They provide services such as looking for adopting opportunities and providing education and counseling. Child adoption through an agency is usually more expensive than private adoption. Private or independent child adoption means adopting a child through an adoption attorney. In some states an adoption attorney’s role is limited to finalizing the legal matters in the adoption process. Child adoption can also take place through the United States foster care system. This method is often the most inexpensive.

When child adoption takes place across states the legal regulations of both the states have to be considered. Similarly when a child is adopted from another country, the U.S federal laws, state laws and the laws of the child’s country have to be complied with.

Foster adoption is the least expensive adoption method and some states even provide subsidies to adoptive parents. Agency and private adoption is more expensive than foster adoption but international adoption is often the most expensive. Adoptive parents are allowed federal adoption tax credit for domestic and international adoption. However this does not apply when adopting a step child. In addition to the federal adoption tax credit, tax credit is offered to adoptive parents by some states as well.

Due to the increasing number of child adoption in the United States many employers offer adoption related benefits. These vary from paid and unpaid leave for the adoptive parents, financial assistance and adoption information and support. In addition to the support extended by the government and the employers, support and encouragement from family and friends often help adoptive parents go through the adoption process successfully.