So you have decided that you and your spouse are ready to adopt? You have the finances set aside; you have evaluated your motives for adopting and considered all of the pros and cons with your spouse. Now you need to be educated on the various types of adoption that are available to you. One of the forms of adoption is referred to as "Domestic Private". Another form of adoption that is available is known as "Inter-country adoption". There are also the options of "kinship/relative adoption" and "Domestic Adoption from State Foster Care". I will be elaborating on the various types, so that you can make the most educated of decisions, when it comes to choosing the type of adoption that will be best for your family.

Domestic Adoptions are facilitated through licensed adoption agencies, attorneys, adoption facilitators, or physicians, among other avenues. This type of adoption allows you to choose to adopt a child right from their families. In this case, the family of the child would typically choose the family that would later adopt the child. The current family and the future family will make decisions, together, to discuss how much contact the child will have with his or her biological family in the future.

The next type of adoption is known as "Inter-Country Adoption". This form of adoption includes children who are citizens of one country, but their parents are citizens of another country. Since the governments of both countries will be involved with this form of adoption, it is wise to first look at the State Department website to make sure that country is currently permitting inter-country adoptions to the United States to take place. Often, these children have been living in an orphanage. It is important that, if you do adopt a child from a culture that is not your own, you are sensitive to that culture and take the time to research the culture, language, food, among other things to ensure that your child will know where they came from to increase their sense of identity.

"Kinship/Relative Adoption" is another form of adoption that often takes place. This type of adoption refers to a family adopting a child through family ties or through a relationship that particular family has had with the child's family. This includes children who are adopted by their stepmothers or stepfathers, grandparents, friends, teachers, etc., if their biological parents are unable to care for them. Licensed adoption professionals are still needed with this type of adoption to ensure that all legal requirements are being met, to make the adoption final.

Finally, the last type of adoption is "Domestic Adoption from State Foster Care". These children will be adopted out of temporary foster care or welfare situations. Many instances of this type of adoption include numerous siblings that are looking for a home together. These children have often suffered many losses and do not know much about commitment. They will require more attention and commitment, so that they transition into a home that they know is permanent and safe. With these children, the state will often provide access to Medicaid for their medical needs and a subsidy to help fund tutoring, other education, camps and other activities that would aid in their transition to a permanent environment and help them to succeed.

You are now familiar with the main forms of adoption out there. There are many avenues that you have to choose from. Knowing what you expect and what you need from the adoption process is very important in knowing what form is best for you and your family. Talking to these agencies and organizations, or contacting the state in which you live may be the best way to obtaining more information about the how to go about each type of adoption. Much of this information can be found online, as well. After that, the choice is yours and your will be on your way to finding that new member of your family to love.