In 2021, 53,500 children were adopted by American families. Foster parents initiated over 50% of the aforementioned adoptions. Relatives make up another 34% of adoptive parents, and unrelated households make up the remainder of adoptive parents. When family circumstances or family planning leads you to adoption, you'll want to know if you meet the requirements before you proceed. Learn more about the requirements to adopt a child in the US.  

Overall Wellness

Prospective adoptive parents must submit medical documents to prove that they are healthy enough to care for the child for the rest of its childhood. Chronic illnesses or terminal illnesses can raise a red flag with the adoption agency, especially if the conditions impact your daily life. Mental health issues can also potentially cause a family to get denied. You should try to demonstrate overall wellness and a healthy future. 

Financial Security 

Foster parents receive a stipend to care for the foster children in their homes. Adoptive parents don't receive any money from the government. As part of the adoption process, the adoptive parents assume financial responsibility for the child's care. For that reason, the parents will need to present financial info, including proof of income and a credit report. There is no set minimum income requirement to adopt a child. It's more about stability and projected financial wellness. 

Little to No Criminal History 

The adoption agency will run a criminal background check on every adult in your household. Ideally, you'll have nothing on your record. Even if you do have an arrest on your report, you may still get approved. Misdemeanors from several years ago won't likely impact the decision. However, recent felonies or crimes involving children will create a problem. 

Stable Household 

Many adoption agencies will request a viewing of the household to assess the environment. The adoption agency staff will look for a healthy and happy home. Constantly changing addresses or police reports that describe turbulence in the home may get someone disqualified. 

While the home needs to be safe, it doesn't necessarily need to follow the traditional family mold of previous generations. Same-sex couples and single adults can adopt children from public adoption agencies without discrimination. Private adoption agencies, however, can establish their own requirements. 

You have the option to adopt your child from a public adoption agency or a private adoption agency. Private adoption agencies charge more to the parents, but they also provide much more control over the pregnancy and the child. Public adoptions are often financed by the state, but there's no control over the child's development in the womb. 

To find out more, contact an adoption agency.