The advantage of a domestic adoption is the fact that the child becomes the legal child of the adoptive family just as if he or she was born to them in marriage, which also comes with all the rights and duties that a parent-child relationship involves. Domestic adoptions are more transparent than ever before and they are considered to be healthier choices for birth families as well as for adoptive families. Here are some quick facts about domestic adoption you may want to consider when deciding on the adoption type.
1. Couples adopting domestically are usually provided with a more detailed medical record and social history of the birth parents. When adopting internationally, parents may not have access to a child’s medical history.
2. Information about birth parents in a domestic adoption can include OB/GYN pregnancy history, legal situation, and family history, as well as hobbies and interests. Every piece of information you can get about your baby’s birth parents is important since it enables you to answer your child’s questions easily.
3. It is a common misconception that domestic adoptions cost more than international adoptions. The reality is that the cost of adoption varies depending on a number of factors. All in all, the cost varies and it is calculated based on the arrangement between birth parents and adoptive parents.
4. Domestic adoption allows your child to get more information about his or her birth parents as well as a true picture about his or her background, eliminating the chance that they may create unrealistic and unhealthy fantasies about where they came from.
5. Couples pursuing a domestic adoption should be ready to travel in a location anywhere within the country. They should plan to visit the birthmother before birth when possible, and also stay wherever she lives until after the baby is born and released from the hospital.
6. Another misconception about domestic adoption is that it takes an incredibly long time. Some families do wait two years or more to adopt a baby, but the truth is that around 75% of families adopt a baby within two to twelve months. The waiting time depends on the adoption plan, which usually includes considerations of the race of the baby, whether the adoption is going to be closed or open, what the family’s budget is, and many more.
7. Domestic adoption accounts for a significant portion of all adoptions. For example, in the United States nearly 45% of all adoptions are domestic adoptions.
Adopting a baby is a life-changing decision, so it is important to know everything there is to know about the domestic adoption process itself and the type of adoption option you choose.
