You can adopt a child through a public or private agency. While adoption agencies are regulated, remember to do your research and make sure that they are licensed.  They should provide you with their license and certification anytime you ask for it.

Public agencies usually have minors who come into the custody of the state because of circumstances like loss of both parents or abandonment by parents. Private agencies include charities or other social service organizations. In most cases, the minors brought to private agencies are brought by parents who are willingly giving up their child for adoption.

Independent Adoption

Unlike other states, Georgia does allow independent adoptions. Independent adoption is where you enter into a direct agreement with the child’s birth parents. There is no agency involved, but you can use the services of a lawyer, doctor, or clergyperson to assist with the adoption.

Domestic Adoptions

You can adopt a child from within the United States. This gives you some more control over your decision including:

• what agency you want to work with
• what contact you want to have with the child’s birth parents
• access to legal support in the United States.

Private domestic adoptions can cost anywhere from $30,000 to $50,000. Also, the wait times for adoption can vary from one month to a year.

International Adoptions

You can also choose to adopt internationally. The circumstance of international adoption depends on the country of birth. You need to meet the rules and regulations of Georgia and the child’s home country.

The cost for international adoptions can vary greatly, depending on the country of origin. It’ll be hard to estimate your adoption fees, so you won’t be able to budget. Your wait time will also vary.

Remember that international adoption has additional federal restrictions because of hidden fees and corruption. It’s best to reach out to an adoption attorney in Atlanta to help you through the process.  

Same-Sex Adoptions

The state of Georgia permits same-sex adoptions, so you can jointly petition to adopt a child. You can also petition to adopt the child of your partner.

Open Adoptions

In an open adoption, the birth parents can maintain some contact with the child after birth. You will enter into a contract that sets out the boundaries for communication. This is where an adoption attorney can provide valuable insights.

Remember to understand the father’s rights. An adoption attorney can help you understand parental rights in the circumstances of the adoption.

Foster Care

You can also adopt through foster care. You can adopt one of the many children that are waiting to be adopted in foster care. Many of these children have had different life circumstances and may be abused or neglected.

The timeline for adoption through foster care is faster than the other types of adoptions. Once you’re approved, you can choose the child you want to adopt. There is little cost involved in foster care adoption.

Of course, you need to be able to handle the special circumstances of your child needing additional emotional and development support needs.

Adopting Over Legal Age

You can adopt someone over the legal age as long as you are at least 10 years older than them. You will need the written consent of the child before you can adopt. This written consent must be acknowledged in court. You will also need to show why the adoption is mutually beneficial for both you and the child. There are protections in place to ensure that there is no financial abuse. For example, someone entering into the arrangement to take advantage of inheritances.

Types of Adoption That Work Best for You

Choosing the best option for you depends on your needs and circumstances. More importantly, it depends on the parenting needs of the child. Infants and children under two years of age need to form secure emotional attachments with protective caregivers, which means they need responsiveness and consistency.

You need to find out what works best for you. Remember to be able to adopt you need to be:

• 25 years or older (21 years or older if you’re adopting a relative)
• At least 10 years older than the child you’re trying to adopt
• Financially, physically, and mentally able to take custody of a child

If you’re married, you must file the adoption jointly. If you’re a stepparent, the stepparent spouse does not need to join the petition. Other considerations include:

• your budget
• your preferred timeline
• whether you want to adopt an infant or an older child
• domestic or international adoption 
• the level of contact you would want with the child’s birth parents
• whether you want to adopt through a private or public agency

You can figure out what works best for you by coming up with an adoption plan. Answer these questions and figure out what your financial, physical, and mental circumstances are.