Length of Adoption Process in Missouri
Have you been planning to adopt a child?
If adoption has been on your mind, chances are that you’ve been wondering about the average length of the adoption process in Missouri.
While the adoption process will vary based on your needs and preferences, there are several ways you can reduce the average adoption process length in Missouri.
If you’re ready to talk with an adoption specialist about helping you start the process of becoming a parent, you can call American Adoptions now at 1-800-ADOPTION.
You can also keep reading to learn more.
What is the Adoption Process?
When you’re ready to start building your family through adoption, you’ll need to go through the steps of the adoption process.
The length of this process will vary for each adoptive family but generally consists of several steps, including:
- Your APQ – This is the part of the adoption process where you get to share your hopes and dreams for starting your family. If you’ve always hoped for a little girl, for example, you’ll be able to request that.
- Your home study – With this portion of the adoption journey, you’ll complete a background check, personal interviews and a home inspection to make sure you’re ready for parenting.
- Matching with a birth mother – This process can take some time, but when the right birth mother chooses you, you’ll realize that it’s been well worth the wait.
- Placement – This portion of the adoption process happens after your baby is born. Your child’s birth mother may place them in your arms at the hospital the day that they are born or shortly after.
- ICPC – If you adopt a child who is born in a state other than the one you live in, you’ll need to wait for special permission to bring them home. This can take a few days.
- Finalization – After your child comes home with you, you’ll need to complete the adoption through the finalization process with a judge.
It’s easy to see how the average adoption process length in Missouri can vary based on your hopes for your adoption. Because the adoption process can be so complicated, it’s also important to choose an adoption professional who will help you every step of the way.
Waiting For Your Baby [3 Things You Need to Know]
As you prepare for your adoption and consider the average adoption process length in Missouri, there are several important things you need to keep in mind.
1. Each Birth Mother Has Their Own Preferences
The average adoption process length in Missouri can vary because each birth mother has their own hopes and preferences for their baby. Some birth mothers want their baby to be an only child, while others want their baby to grow up in a family with siblings.
Similarly, some birth mothers may want their child to live in a big city, while others may dream of country life for their baby.
It’s up to the birth mother to choose the right family for their baby, so your wait may be longer or shorter depending on what birth mothers are looking for.
2. You Can Help Speed Up the Process
While the average adoption process length in Missouri may seem overwhelming, there are several things each hopeful adoptive family can do to speed things up.
One of the best ways to reduce your wait is to be flexible with your wishes and preferences. The more specific you are in your APQ, the longer your wait will be as you prepare to meet the right birth mother. If you can be flexible with what you’re looking for, you may not need to wait so long.
You can also shorten your wait time by staying organized and preparing your adoption materials as soon as possible. The faster you complete your home study and finish filming your waiting family profile video, the sooner you’ll be able to match with a birth parent.
3. Choosing the Right Agency is Essential
Always make sure you choose the right agency.
Here at American Adoptions, we know you have big dreams of becoming a mom or a dad. We want to help you see those dreams become a reality.
Our team will work with you every step of the way to help you match with the right birth mother for you.
And because we have a national reach, your wait may be shorter than you think. When you work with our team, you can expect a wait of around 9 to 12 months for a baby.
Getting Started
Here at American Adoptions, we’d love the chance to work with you to start building your family.
We understand that you have a choice when it comes to the right adoption professional for your family, and we’d love to be that professional for you.
Our team consists of experienced birth mothers, adoptees and adoptive families who understand exactly what you’re going through and how challenging – yet rewarding – the adoption process can be.
If you’d like to speak with an adoption specialist about how you can get the adoption process started, call us now at 1-800-ADOPTION.
Disclaimer
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