Adopting a child allows you to open your heart and home to

another human person. Few things are more glorious. Couples

choose to adopt for many reasons, but the end result is the

same: they want a child to love. If you are interested in

adoption, you should understand all aspects before making this

important decision. A multitude of resources are available.

Your local library is an excellent tool for researching

adoption. In addition, the Internet is a fabulous tool not only

for providing information about adoption, but also to meet other

individuals who have adopted or are hoping to adopt. Many

opportunities exist in your community to meet with other

adoptive parents. This process is an emotional one, and having

a support group of people who know what you are experiencing is

an important tool in helping you succeed in this process.

Before you decide on adopting a child, you must first

understand the process. Adoption involves three different

entities: the birth parent(s), the adoptive parent(s), and most

importantly, the child. In some instances, if the birth parents

are either unknown or deceased, the state or government takes

the place of this entity. Any child under the age of 18 is

available for adoption. A common myth is that only babies or

young children are adoptable. This is completely false, as many

older children await a loving family to call their own. In

additional to being a emotional process, adoption is a legal

process, and all items must be taken care of to ensure the

legality of the adoption. A number of lawyers and firms deal

specifically with adoptive law, so all who are interested in

adopting are strongly encouraged to seek the advice of these

professionals.

When seriously considering adoption, you should be aware of all

the options available. There are two main types of adoptions you

should consider: domestic adoptions and inter-country adoptions.

Domestic adoptions take place within the country are currently

residing. There are many agencies available to help you

adopting a child in your country of residence, and this is by

far the most widely used option for adoption. In some cases,

the child is adopted before the mother has given birth. In

these cases, the child is immediately removed from the birth

parent(s) upon birth and given over to the adoptive parents. In

other cases, a child is available for adoption once the parent

terminates his or her parental right. This termination can be

either willing or unwilling. If the termination of parental

rights is unwilling, a state agency has deemed the parent unfit

and this decision has been decided by a court of law. In cases

where the child does not have a parent or guardian, he or she

is considered ward of the state and the adoption will be

decided using the laws of that particular state.

Inter-country adoptions are when children are adopted outside

of your country of residence. These adoptions are often more

labor-intensive and can take longer since you must meet all

requirements set forth by two countries - the child's country

and your own. Similarly, the cost of inter-country adoptions is

usually greater than domestic adoptions and can include several

trips to the child's country. It is strongly suggested you deal

with an agency or attorney to facilitate inter-country

adoptions, since there are more laws and regulations that must

be met. For example, in order for a child to immigrate to the

United States, the child must be considered an orphan. This may

or may not be the case literally, but if the parental rights

were terminated (either willingly or not), the child is

considered an orphan and is considered adoptable. Depending on

the country you choose to adopt from, the rules, cost, and

waiting will all differ. Some countries are more equipped to do

inter-country adoption than others. Similarly, some countries

will be able to give potential adoptive parents an estimated

time frame for the adoption, so the parents can plan

accordingly.

However you choose to adopt, research and education is the key.

The more you know and understand the process, the more apt you

will be to anticipate any problems, and the more successful you

will be in your goal - to bring a child into your home. To find

more information about adoption options, just log on to the

Internet and visit locations such as www.aaadoption.com to do a

thorough search. Remember, you may encounter many obstacles on

your road to adoption, but the end result is well worth the

time, effort, and energy.