If you're considering taking on the parental responsibility of another person, whether a child or adult, there are a number of questions and factors you're probably weighing. Do you have the time and resources to meet your obligations? How will this adoption impact your existing family relationships? What future will this child or adult face if you don't move forward with the adoption? Perhaps the biggest unknown is how the adoption process in your state works.

Fortunately, there are plenty of resources available, at the national level and within your local community, to help you through this process. Whether you're still weighing adoption or have already started the process, below you'll find state adoption information to help you get started.

National

• Adoption (Child Welfare Information Gateway)
• AdoptUSkids (working with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
• Finding a Fit that Will Last a Lifetime: A Guide to Connecting Adoptive Families with Waiting Children [PDF]
• The Cherokee Nation Adoption Services
• North American Council on Adoptable ChildrenMedlinePlus: Adoption (U.S. National Library of Medicine)

Alabama

• Introduction to Adoption (Alabama Department of Human Resources)
• Adoption FAQs (Alabama Department of Human Resources)
• Adoption Information (Alabama Department of Public Health)

Alaska

• Alaska Waiting Children | Adoption Tips (Northwest Adoption Exchange)
• Alaska Resource Family Handbook [PDF] (Alaska Office of Children's Services )
• Alaska Center for Resource Families and Adoption Support Services Center

Arizona

• Adoption (Arizona Department of Child Safety)
• The Children's Heart Gallery (Arizona Department of Child Safety)

Arkansas

• Arkansas Heart Gallery (Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Children and Family Services)

California

• Frequently Asked Questions About Adoption (California Dept. of Social Services)
• Adoption Services (California Dept. of Social Services)
• California Kids Connection (working with the California Department of Social Services and Family Builders)

Colorado

• Relinquishment & Adoption Brochure [PDF] (Colorado State Judiciary)
• Adopt Colorado Kids
• The Adoption Exchange

Connecticut

• Connecticut Foster Adopt (Connecticut Department of Children and Families)
• Connecticut Association of Foster and Adoptive Parents

Delaware

• Adoption (Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families)
• Wendy's Wonderful Kids in the Delaware Valley

District of Columbia

• Become a Foster or Adoptive Parent (D.C. Child and Family Services Agency)
• Overview of Washington, D.C. Adoption Law (Adoptions Together)

Florida

• Explore Adoption (Florida Department of Children and Families)
• Adoption In Florida (The Florida Bar)

Georgia

• Adoption (Georgia Division of Family and Children Services)
• Atlanta Wednesday's Child (Georgia Division of Family & Children Services)
• My Turn Now, Inc. (a public-private partnership with the Georgia Department of Human Services)

Hawaii

• Adoption Procedures and Forms (Hawaii Judiciary)
• Foster and Adoptive Care (Hawaii Department of Human Services)

Idaho

• Child Protection Manual (Idaho Supreme Court)
• Idaho's Waiting Children (Northwest Adoption Exchange)
• Idaho Wednesday's Child (working with Idaho Department of Health and Welfare)

Illinois

• Adopting a Child (Illinois Legal Aid Online)
• Adoption (Illinois Department of Children & Family Services)

Indiana

• Adoption (Indiana Department of Child Services)
• Adoption FAQs (Indiana Department of Child Services)
• Adoption Information (Indiana State Department of Health)

Iowa

• Foster Care and Adoption (Iowa Dept. of Human Services)
• Additional Resources for Adoption (Iowa Foster & Adoptive Parents Association)
• Raising Relatives' Children

Kansas

• Adoption Search | Adoption Search Brochure (Kansas Children's Service League)
• Adoption Program (Kansas Dept. for Children and Families)

Kentucky

• Kentucky Adoption Coalition
• Kentucky Adoption (Commonwealth of Kentucky)

Louisiana

• How to Adopt (Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services)
• Louisiana Heart Gallery

Maine

• A Guide to Adoption Services in Maine (Maine Department of Health and Human Services)
• How Do I Adopt? (Maine Department of Health and Human Services)

Maryland

• Adoption (Maryland Department of Human Resources)
• Adoption & Foster Care Services (Maryland Department of Human Resources)

Massachusetts

• Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange
• Adoption (Massachusetts Department of Health and Human Services)
• Becoming a Foster Parent (Massachusetts Department of Health and Human Services)

Michigan

• Adoption in Michigan (Michigan Department of Health and Human Services)
• Adopting a Child in Michigan
• Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange

Minnesota

• Answers to Your Questions about Adoption (Minnesota Department of Human Services)
• Adoption (Dakota County Probate Division)
• Adoption Information Packet (Minnesota Adoption Resource Network)
• Meet the Kids
• North American Council on Adoptable Children

Mississippi

• Learn More About Adopting a Child (Mississippi Department of Chlid Protection Services)
• Mississippi Heart Gallery (Mississippi Department of Chlid Protection Services)

Missouri

• Missouri Adoption Services (Missouri Department of Social Services)
• Missouri Adoption Photo-Listing (Missouri Department of Social Services)
• Adoption pamphlet (Missouri Bar Association)

Montana

• Adoption in Montana (Department of Public Health and Human Services)
• Adoption (Montana Judicial Branch)

Nebraska

• Adoption (Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services)
• Children Available for Adoption (Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services)
• Nebraska Foster and Adoptive Parent Association

Nevada

• Adoption (Nevada Division of Child & Family Services)
• Guide to Adoption in Nevada - Post Adoption Services (Nevada Division of Child & Family Services)
• Guide to Adoption in Nevada - Adoption Exchanges: Locating Families for Special Needs Children (Nevada Division of Child & Family Services)

New Hampshire

• Foster Care & Adoption Services (New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services)
• NH Adoption Help Center

New Jersey

• The Path to Adoption (New Jersey Department of Children and Families)
• New Jersey Adoption Resource Clearinghouse (New Jersey Department of Human Services and the Division of Youth and Family Services)
• Adoption Registry (New Jersey Department of Children and Families)
• Foster and Adoptive Family Services

New Mexico

• New Mexico Children, Youth & Families Department
• Foster or Adopt a New Mexico Youth

New York

• New York State Adoption Service (Office of Children and Family Services)
• The Adoption Process (Office of Children and Family Services)
• Become a Foster or Adoptive Parent (New York City Administration for Children's Services)
• Adoptions - FAQs (New York City Family Court)

North Carolina

• N.C. Kids Adoption and Foster Care Network
• Meet the Children (N.C. Dept. of Health and Human Services)

North Dakota

• Adoption Program (North Dakota Department of Human Services)
• What is Adoption Assistance? (North Dakota Department of Human Services)
• North Dakota Heart Gallery
• Adoption Services (Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota)

Ohio

• Ohio Adoption Guide
• Ohio Office of Families and Children

Oklahoma

• Adoption Information (Oklahoma Department of Human Services)
• Who May Adopt, Be Adopted, or Place a Child for Adoption? (Child Welfare Information Gateway)

Oregon

• Adoption Services (Oregon Department of Human Services)
• Oregon's Waiting Children (Northwest Adoption Exchange)

Pennsylvania

• Adoption Branch Information Packet (Family Court of Philadelphia)
• Pennsylvania Adoption Exchange (Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare)
• Three Rivers Adoption Council (Allegheny County Children and Youth Services)

Rhode Island

• Adoption - How Do I Go About It? (Rhode Island Bar Association)
• Adoption Placement (Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families)
• Adoption Rhode Island

South Carolina

• Adoption (South Carolina Department of Social Services)
• South Carolina Foster Care and Adoption Guidelines (AdoptUSKids)

South Dakota

• Adopting Through DSS (South Dakota Department of Social Services)
• Adoption Services (South Dakota Department of Social Services)
• The Adoption Exchange - South Dakota

Tennessee

• Adoption (Tennessee Department of Children's Services)
• How to Adopt (Tennessee Department of Children's Services)
• Heart Gallery of Tennessee

Texas

• Adoption (Texas Department of Family and Protective Services)
• Texas Adoption Resource Exchange

Utah

• Utah Adoption Connection (Utah Division of Child and Family Services)
• Adoption (Utah Courts)
• Utah Foster Care and Adoption Guidelines (AdoptUSKids)

Vermont

• Adoption & Foster Care (Vermont Department for Children and Families)
• Adopt a Child in DCF Custody (Vermont Department for Children and Families)

Virginia

• Adoption (Virginia Department of Social Services)
• Meet the Virginia Kids (Virginia Department of Social Services)

Washington

• Adoption (Washington Department of Social and Health Services)
• Steps to Adopt (Washington Department of Social and Health Services)
• Considering Adoption (Washington Department of Social and Health Services)

West Virginia

• Adoption/Foster Parents (Virginia Department of Health & Human Resources)
• FAQs (West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources

Wisconsin

• Adoption in Wisconsin (Wisconsin Department of Children and Families)
• Adoption Assistance (Wisconsin Department of Children and Families)

Wyoming

• Adoption (Wyoming Dept. of Family Services)
• Children's Gallery (The Adoption Exchange)

Get More State Adoption Information by Talking to an Attorney

Each state has its own process for adopting children and, as you can see, there are many different resources available depending on where you live. Perhaps the strongest resource, however, is the advice and representation you can receive from an experienced attorney. An attorney, after all, can not only help you during the adoption process, but also with what can arise after the adoption is completed. Learn more by contacting a skilled adoption lawyer in your area today.