Independent Domestic Adoption 101

By Jeanine Castagna, Esq.

My session explained the process of independent adoption in New York. An independent domestic adoption is often referred to as a private adoption. Adoptive parents are advised by an adoption attorney rather than an adoption agency. Each state has its own set of adoption laws. Certain aspects of independent adoption vary from state to state. It is critical that prior to commencing an independent adoption, adoptive parents retain an experienced adoption attorney who practices in their state.

Independent adoption differs from an agency adoption in that prospective adoptive parents “seek out” birth parents who are looking to make an adoption plan. They are proactive in identifying a birth mother through published advertisements, the internet or networking.

With the guidance of their attorney, a prospective adoptive parent obtains a toll-free 800 number, places ads and takes the first initial call from a birth mother. The adoptive parent then refers the birth mother to their attorney. The attorney’s job is to screen the birth mother by obtaining her background information as well as prenatal records from her doctor. Once all of this information is obtained, the adoptive parent is able to determine if they are comfortable moving forward with an adoption.

While it is attorney’s responsibility is to guide their client on a legal and ethical path to adoption, support from others than have already been through the process or who are on the journey themselves is extremely important. Friends and family may want to help, but only those who have shared the same experience can truly relate to what a prospective adoptive parent is going through.

When people first learn that they will find their child through advertising, they find the concept bizarre and doubt that it could possibly work. Being able to meet others that have successfully adopted through advertising provides encouragement and inspiration to those waiting for their child.

In addition to providing seminars by adoption professionals, the Adoptive Parents Committee meetings bring together those on the path to parenthood through adoption and those who have already adopted. The meetings provide a great source of support for what can sometimes be an emotional and stressful journey. It is wonderful to watch those who benefitted from the support of APC while waiting for their children, become mentors to others still on the journey.

Another option to starting a family through adoption is domestic Adoption. Adoption is a legal process through which a child who will not be raised by his/her birth parents becomes a full and permanent legal member of another family. Families are usually connected through the foster care system or adoption programs throughout the Unites States Birth parents may play an active role in the adoption process and may be involved in selecting an adoptive family. Domestic adoption can cost very little, especially if you go through your state and adopt from the foster care system..When adopting domestically, or with foster care adoptions, there is usually very little travel involved, unless you are adopting from a state other than your own.. There are thousands of infants and children waiting to be adopted that are in the foster care system.