Exploring the Types of Adoption in Colorado [A Complete Guide]

If you plan to grow your family through adoption, you will need to decide between the three different types of adoption: domestic, foster care and international.

There is no one “right” choice when it comes to adoption. Every family’s journey looks different. Your circumstances, preferences and goals can affect which path you end up taking.

Whether you're drawn to the personalized matching process of domestic adoption, considering the profound impact of foster care or envisioning the joy of international adoption, this guide aims to provide you with the information you need to navigate each option confidently

For more information, you can call 1-800-ADOPTION or fill out our contact form. We’ll help you schedule a free consultation with an experienced adoption coordinator who can address all your questions and concerns.

3 Different Types of Adoption

Domestic, foster care and international adoption are facilitated by different types of adoption agencies. Here’s an overview of each adoption type’s process and agency structure:

Domestic Adoption

Domestic adoption agencies facilitate private adoptions, where birth parents place their children directly with adoptive families. These agencies often provide comprehensive support and guidance throughout the entire journey. For example, at American Adoptions of Colorado, we offer honest wait times, financial protection in case of an adoption disruption and state-licensed home study services.

While this type of adoption may come with higher costs, these costs are used to cover services that ensure a successful adoption journey.

Foster Care

The goal of foster care is to reunify families. However, many children in foster care were removed from their homes because of neglect, abuse or unsafe living conditions. As the birth parents work to resolve these issues, foster care agencies look for safe, supportive homes where the children can live.

While adoption from foster care is possible, it typically occurs after parental rights have been legally terminated. Newborn and infant adoption opportunities are less common because many birth parents strive to raise their children themselves. Consequently, there are more older children than infants awaiting adoption through the state system. Fostering to adopt allows you to offer stability and love to a child in need of a family, whether temporarily or permanently.

International Adoption

You can adopt a child from another country through an international adoption agency. These agencies can help you meet the adoption requirements of your home state, the U.S. and the country you’re considering. The process can be more intensive than a domestic adoption, so you’ll want to work with a Hague-accredited international adoption agency.

If you opt for international adoption, you may want to raise a child from a culture that you or your partner shares. But keep in mind that international policies have changed. For instance, Americans cannot adopt from certain countries, including Cambodia, Ethiopia and Russia. It’s essential to stay updated on international adoption regulations to ensure a smooth, successful process.

What Is the Most Popular Type of Adoption?

Domestic infant adoption is considered the most popular type of adoption. It allows adoptive parents to welcome a newborn into their family and experience early development milestones.

Here are three benefits of domestic infant adoption with our agency:

Experience Honest Wait Times

Domestic infant adoption offers more predictable wait times compared to foster care and international adoption. With American Adoptions of Colorado, you can expect to wait an average of 12 months to adopt after becoming an active family.

Establish a Relationship With the Birth Parents

According to research, 95% of adoptions are considered open or semi-open. In these arrangements, you can get to know the expecting parents before placement and maintain a relationship with them after the adoption is finalized either directly or through an intermediary. This isn’t always possible in other types of adoption.

Be Financially Secure

If a domestic infant adoption falls through, you can trust that your investment is secure with our Risk-Sharing Program. You can put it toward another adoption opportunity, take a break from the process or choose another type of adoption. This flexibility isn’t usually available with other adoption types.

2 Other Ways to Become a Parent

Depending on your situation, you can fulfill your dream of parenthood in other ways. Here are two possible types of adoption:

• Embryo Donation: You can experience pregnancy and delivery by receiving donated embryos. Sometimes referred to by the misnomer “embryo adoption,” embryo donation is where families may donate leftover embryos from in vitro fertilization attempts to families struggling with infertility, LGBTQ parents or single parents.

• Gestational Surrogacy: Surrogacy involves a surrogate carrying and giving birth to a baby for another couple or individual. In gestational surrogacy, an embryo is created through in vitro fertilization using the egg and sperm of the intended parents or donors and then transferred to the surrogate's uterus.

Adopt a Baby Through Domestic Adoption

If you want to adopt a newborn or infant in the U.S., we can help. Our agency has facilitated thousands of adoptions over the course of 30 years. To get more information about our comprehensive services, you can fill out our online contact form.

You can also create a family through surrogacy. Our sister agency, American Surrogacy, can help you find the perfect surrogate match. For more information, visit their website today.

Disclaimer
Information available through these links is the sole property of the companies and organizations listed therein. American Adoptions provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.