A "domestic" adoption means you adopt a child within the country in which you reside. There are many children of all ages (and needs), often in foster care, waiting to be adopted in the United States.  Many are here in Minnesota.

Getting Started

Make plans to attend an orientation or information session at several adoption agencies.  These presentations should provide a good overview of the agency's adoption programs and help you get started with the agency that's right for you.

Types of Adoption

• Closed—Birth family and adoptive family are anonymous.  Information/details can be shared but identifying information isn't disclosed.
• Open—Birth family and adoptive family exchange identifying information and are able, if they choose, to contact each other directly.
• Intrastate—Birth family and adoptive family live in the same state.
• Interstate—Birth family and adoptive family live in different states.

Whether you choose a closed or open adoption will depend on what you want, what the State allows and what adoption agency you select.

Adoption Agencies

• There are many types of agencies: for profit or nonprofit, public or private, licensed or unlicensed.
• Choose a reputable, licensed agency. Ask for their adoption licensing agency and the phone number you can call to verify they are legitimate.
• Make sure the agency meets your needs. Take some time to develop a list of questions that are important to you and make sure the agency is able to address your concerns. 

Adoption Eligibility

Every Minnesota resident wishing to adopt a child must have an "adoption study" completed by a licensed child-placing agency.

An adoption study (formerly called home study)—is an education process of a series of interviews with a social worker and workshops with other applicants completed over a few months' time.  A adoption study educates prospective parents and helps to ensure a safe and nurturing environment for a new child.

Many agencies, not all, have age minimums and maximums.  Adoptive families (singles or couples) must be at least 22 years-old to be eligible for Children's Home Society & Family Services assistance, for example.

Costs and Timelines

Fees and timelines vary.  Actual costs depend on the specific agency and your circumstances, however, total fees average $10,000 per child.

Many birth parents choose the adoptive family.  Some families are chosen right away, others might wait a long time.  A wide variety of birth parents chose a wide variety of adoptive parents. Adopting a child with special needs may reduce the wait time and cost.

Sources & More Info.

• Adopting Family Resources
• Children's Home Society & Family Services
• Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota
• Ramsey County Community Human Services
• United Way 2-1-1™ is a free and confidential, 24-hour information/referral line that can connect you to over 40,000 community resources. Just dial 2-1-1 or 651-291-0211.