What Are Adoptive Families? [And How to Become One in 5 Steps]

As you’re just learning about the adoption process, you’re likely coming to grips with all the basics. For instance, what is an adoptive family? And what are the steps for becoming an adoptive parent yourself? If you’ve been asking these questions, then you couldn’t be in a better place.

You can get free adoption information now when you contact us online today.

In the meantime, though, you can check out our comprehensive guide on adopting families below. We’ll explain exactly what an adoption family is as well as the five concrete steps for becoming an adoptive parent.

What Are Adoptive Families?

An adoptive family is a family that raises a child who is not biologically related to them. Once a birth mother creates an adoption plan for her child, she will choose an adoptive family that they feel is perfect for her baby. Then, both parties will go through the adoption process to make everything official.

But, what if you’re interested in becoming an adoptive parent yourself? We’ve got you covered. Below, you can find a step-by-step breakdown of how to adopt a child into your family and realize your dreams of parenthood.

Step 1: Find a Reputable Adoption Professional

The first step to take toward becoming an adoptive family is choosing a trusted adoption professional to help you with your journey. American Adoptions would be more than happy to guide you through this process every step of the way.

Our team comprises all parts of the adoption triad: adoptive families, birth mothers and adoptees. We’ll use our firsthand knowledge to ensure as smooth and stress-free of an experience for you. On top of this, here are just a few of the other benefits of working with our agency:

• Video profile services and adoptive family websites so you can reach hundreds of birth mothers
• Home study services to ensure that your living environment is perfect for a baby
• The chance to build a relationship with the birth mother through open adoption

Also, you can ask Michelle, a birth parent specialist who is a birth mother herself, a question at any time. She would love nothing more than to answer your questions.

Step 2: Find the Right Adoption Opportunity for Your Adoptive Family

Once you have chosen an adoption professional to work with, your next step will be finding an adoption opportunity — which happens when a prospective birth mother chooses you to be her baby’s adoptive family.

If you’re feeling a bit nervous about getting to know the birth parents, then that is completely normal. That’s why an American Adoptions professional will mediate your first conversation with them to ease any tension.

Step 3: Get to Know the Prospective Birth Mother

After accepting an adoption opportunity, you can begin getting to know the prospective birth mother a little better. As you spend more time with each other, you may come to realize that you’ve made a new close friend or extended family member.

You can build a meaningful bond with the prospective birth mother. Over the course of the adoption journey, you may discover that you share similar interests and hobbies. Spending time with the prospective birth mother can also help reassure them that they’ve made the right decision.

Step 4: Support the Birth Mother at the Hospital

It’s common for adoptive families to support the prospective birth mother during their hospital stay. If the prospective birth mother wants, then you can be in the same room with them and be among the first people to hold the baby. Depending on what state they live in, they’ll need to wait for 24-72 hours before signing any official adoption paperwork.

Regarding the paperwork, it’s recommended that you work with a credible adoption attorney. American Adoptions can coordinate these legal services for you to ensure a fair, legal and ethical adoption.

Step 5: Finalize the Adoption to Make It Official

The last step to becoming an adoptive family is called adoption finalization. This part depends on what state you live in, as it will occur in a local courtroom. Still, some judges can coordinate this over a Zoom meeting or phone call. Your professional at American Adoptions and your adoption attorney will arrange everything for the finalization hearing.

You may feel nervous at the thought of this, but it is actually far easier than you may think. A judge will ask you some questions about why you want to adopt and how you’ll care for the child. Afterward, they’ll sign the adoption decree, and you’ll officially become an adoptive family!

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If you have any more questions about adoptive families, then we are here to answer them for you. You can fill out our online contact form at any time to get more free information now. We would love to help you.

Disclaimer
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