How Long Does an Adoption Take?
One of the most stressful and trying parts of adoption is the waiting. It can takes months, even years, for the adoption process to move from the intake phase to finalization. There are several factors that can impact how long it takes to complete the adoption process. As you go through the process of adding a new member to your family, there are some factors that you can influence, and some that you can’t. Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re approaching the adoption process.
Parental Preferences Matter
As the prospective parent, your preferences make a difference in the types of adoption that are appropriate for your family. Consider whether or not you’re willing to make your preferences more flexible. Some of the things to consider include:
- Birth parent involvement - Some adoptive parents insist on closed adoptions, wherein the birth parents aren’t involved with or updated about the child after the adoption. Open and semi-open adoptions are much more commonplace, though. Being open to some involvement by the birth parent(s) could result in a quicker adoption, particularly if you go the route of an independent adoption, as many birth parents are interested in open and semi-open adoptions.
- Ethnicity and birth country - Some parents prefer to adopt children of their own ethnicity or from their own country. Opening up to foreign adoption or adopting a child from a different ethnic background can mean that more birth parents will be matched with you through an agency or private adoption. This can greatly affect how long the adoption process takes for your family.
- Different gender - It’s understandable that you might prefer to adopt a girl rather than a boy, or vice versa, but consider whether you can be flexible on that. It could result in a much faster adoption, as this will limit the number of birth mothers with whom you can match. Some adoption professionals do not work with families with a gender preference. The more open you are to different options, the shorter your wait time is likely to be. While it can make for a smoother familial transition to have a lot of rigidity in your preferences, it can also greatly increase your wait time.
The Adoption Type is Important. Your family can grow in a variety of ways. The different options available to you include:
- Private agency adoption
- Independent adoption
- Public agency - Foster child adoption
- Foreign adoption
- Adopting an older child
- Adopting a sibling group
- Adopting a special needs child
These are excellent ways to grow your family, but this list isn't exhaustive, and each can vary widely in terms of wait time and process. There may be other options that take less time and are more appropriate for your particular needs and situation.
Finances Make a Difference
Depending on your state’s laws, the birth mother may expect financial help, including living expenses and hospital and pregnancy-related expenses. If you can have a nest egg set aside for this purpose, it can make the adoption process much easier and, possibly, faster. There may also be grants and other financial tools that are available to you, depending on income, adoption type, and other factors.
Being Prepared is Essential
No matter the type of adoption you choose, your personal preferences, or even if your finances are in great shape, you may still end up waiting a long time for the newest member of your family to arrive. We understand that you’re eager to make your family a bit bigger, and we’re here to help. Whether you’re seeking an independent adoption, an agency adoption, a foreign adoption, , or just want some more information on growing your family, we can help you navigate the process from the first step to the last.
Contact us today and take the next step to building your family through adoption!

