{"id":351581,"date":"2016-04-04T11:02:26","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:02:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/family\/adoption\/locating-a-child-available-for-adoption-top-10-ways.html"},"modified":"2023-07-13T13:08:14","modified_gmt":"2023-07-13T18:08:14","slug":"locating-a-child-available-for-adoption-top-10-ways","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/adoption\/locating-a-child-available-for-adoption-top-10-ways.html","title":{"rendered":"Locating a Child Available for Adoption: Top 10 Ways"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Locating a Child Available for Adoption: Top 10 Ways<\/h1>\n
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\n By Melissa McCall, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Rhonda Earhart, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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There are many factors involved in finding a child for adoption. The type of adoption will narrow the prospective adoptive parent’s options, but it is always good to have a few options.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

Anyone considering adoption has to make many decisions. They have to decide which type of adoption to pursue, get their paperwork in order, and prepare for the adoption process. Prospective adoptive parents must also consider locating a child for adoption.<\/p>\r\n

This article explores the top ten ways protective adoptive parents can find a child and other helpful information about different types of adoption.
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1. Private Adoption Agency<\/h2>\r\n

Private agencies match birth and adoptive parents. They also allow birth parents to preview the prospective adoptive parents’ family information. The birth parents then select their child’s new family. If the child is an infant, the adoptive parents can receive the child shortly after birth. These factors make private agencies an appealing option for finding a child for adoption.<\/p>\r\n

2. Public Adoption Agencies<\/h2>\r\n

The adoption of children in the foster care system goes through public adoption agencies. Social workers in a local Department of Human Services or Family Services help prospective parents adopt. Some states have websites with profiles of children available for adoption. There are pictures of prospective adoptees and some information on their personalities.<\/p>\r\n

3. Foster Parenting<\/h2>\r\n

Being a foster parent<\/a> can lead to successful adoption. Potential foster parents should understand that 50% of foster children go back to their birth parents. Family reunification is one goal of foster parenting. Yet, there are children to adopt in the foster care system.<\/p>\r\n

Foster parents get support from the local Department of Social Services and social workers assigned to their foster child. This support can help foster parents seeking the permanency of adoption. Foster parents get acquainted with local child welfare professionals. Some foster care programs even host social events where children and prospective adoptive parents can get to know each other. These relationships can lead to permanent adoption.<\/p>\r\n

Some foster care programs even host social events where children and prospective adoptive parents get to know each other.<\/p>\r\n

4. Online Directories<\/h2>\r\n

Numerous online directories of children are available for adoption, organized by state or other filters. Prospective parents must determine the reliability of the information and its source.<\/p>\r\n

If they find a child in a different state, they can pursue that adoption through the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children.<\/p>\r\n

Below are a few popular online directories of available children:<\/p>\r\n