Although adoption has changed over the years, many American families still seek to bring children into their lives through adoption. When it comes to this important decision, one of the main questions people will ask is whether to adopt a child from the United States or internationally. There are different factors to consider in domestic vs. international adoptions.
Why Do People Adopt?
Families choose to adopt for various reasons, some after experiencing infertility, others as a way to expand their family, and others as the first step in growing their family. Regardless of the reason, the decision to pursue adoption is a life-changing one and should not be made without careful consideration.
What Is The Difference Between Domestic vs. International Adoptions?
Domestic adoptions refer to the legal process of bringing a non-biological child into your family from within the United States. There are several different types of domestic adoption, and often infants are adopted through this process. International adoptions usually involve working with an agency or third party to bring a child from another country to a family in the United States.
Domestic Adoption
There are several types of domestic adoption. They include private agreements arranged either through an agency or on your own. These adoptions can cost as much as $50,000. You can consider bringing a child into your family through foster care if you have fewer resources. When adopting domestically, there are differences between open and closed agreements.
Open adoptions allow for a high level of communication between the birth mother and the adoptive parents, while closed adoptions prevent any information or contact from being shared after the adoption takes place. Another option is a semi-open adoption, where there are higher levels of contact during the birth mother’s pregnancy, and she continues to receive updates after the adoption. Before arranging an open adoption, it is important to plan how much you will communicate and what methods you will use. Some birth moms opt to only receive a photo and video updates, while others will want to visit and have a higher level of involvement.
International Adoption
Due to the nature of international adoption, most arrangements are made through an agency in the country of origin. Often, these adopted children come from orphanages and other similar organizations. The complex processes of adopting internationally can sometimes lead to extended wait times for adoptive families and children.
While both domestic and international adoptions have various costs, travel and visa expenses should be considered when planning an international adoption. It is also important to consider the requirements of different countries for adoptive families, as each nation has its regulations. Additionally, it is often harder to access the medical records of children adopted internationally than those adopted in the U.S. It is important to be aware of all these factors and more when considering international adoptions.
Both domestic and international adoptions are wonderful opportunities to care for children in need of a home and welcome them into your family! While there are many factors to be considered, understanding the differences between domestic and international adoptions can help you decide which option is best for you.
Are you facing an unplanned pregnancy and considering adoption for your baby? Contact our team at Clearway Clinic, and we will be happy to direct you to helpful resources and information.
