How Long Does It Take To Adopt An Infant?
One of the questions I see often in my email and from readers is “How Long Does It Take To Adopt An Infant?“ in this post, I will answer your questions.
Adopting an infant can take you from 6 to 18 months if you do everything right, but there are so many factors that will determine if you will finally take your adopted child home before the said time which I will show you in a minute.
There is nothing as time-consuming and stressful as adopting an infant, and seriously, it can take you a few months or several years.
However, you have to put these factors into consideration before you take your first step toward adopting the child.
– The Type of Child You Want to Adopt:-
Question is, How long does it take to adopt an infant?
One of the factors you should put into consideration during an adoption is that the type of child you need affects the time to complete your adoption. The truth is that you will wait longer when you choose to adopt an infant than an adult.
Many adults also wait for many years and still will not be adopted. Also, you will not wait long to adopt a minority child.
– The Race Of The Child:- It will be easier to adopt a child from your race than transracial adoption. The reason may be due to cultural differences, or national policies.
Note also that children from Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe are not so much in demand so you may not wait long if you want to adopt from these areas.
Adopting an older child from a Foster care home won’t take you much time too than an infant.
Finance:- Another thing that can determine your wait time when adopting an infant is your financial capacity. If you have money saved or set apart for the adoption, you won’t have hitches in your adoption process.
However, if you know where to borrow money or probably access adoption grants for your adoption, then you are good to go.
You Want A Specific Gender:- How long does it take to adopt an infant? Hoping to adopt an infant of a specific gender is one other reason you will have to wait longer to adopt a child.
According to an investigation conducted many years ago, most of the children born are mainly male, therefore if you desire to adopt a female, that will make your adoption opportunities thin.
There is also a tendency you will have to wait many years before your dreams come true.
Getting The Birth Families Health History:- You will need the family health history during adoption to be sure of the child’s health before adoption.
For example, when you consider what the National Alliance on Mental Illness said about how more Americans will experience mental health challenges, then you have to insist on getting a clean physical and mental health bill before adoption.
Getting that type of clean bill won’t be that easy and it may be one of the reasons you are asking “How Long Does It Take To Adopt An Infant?”
The Level Of The Openness Of The Adoption:- Like I earlier said, the type of adoption you choose will also determine how long it takes to adopt a child.
When you consider the 3 types of adoptions we have, including-
- Close adoption (confidential adoption):- This is the type of adoption where you adopt an infant and the contact details as well as records of the birth families are kept hidden from you.
- Semi-Open Adoption:- An adoption is a semi-open when you and the birth parents have contact during pregnancy, during, and after adoption and the adoptive parents send picture updates, and calls about the child as the child grows.
- Open Adoption:– There is a great level of contact that exists between the birth family and the adoptive family in this type of adoption. The birth mom can visit the adoptive family after the adoption to know how the child is fairing.
Having these types of adoption in mind, you understand that when you choose a closed or semi-open adoption, you will likely wait a long time, because many birth families prefer an open adoption.
Your adoption can also be delayed by the adoption agency, professionals, or the law of the place you are adopting from. Make sure you choose the best agency or adoption professional.
Ask questions about the adoption laws of the state you are adopting a child from before you start.
