Information on single parent adoptions

I'm sorry that I don't remember the exact title, but, you should be able to find it on amazon.com by searching under her last name. There are agencies that work with singles. They may not be religiously affiliated or offer domestic single adoption. They may focus on international. Where do you live? That may help other people on the board offer advice if they are already dealing with an agency in their area that works with singles. I live in the Chicago area myself.

Thank you, I WILL find that book. It's a start and right now I'll try anything. I just don't feel this need to run out and get married just to have a family!(ha-ha) To answer you, I live in TX. Thank you, again!

As a single female, I talked to my local DHS office and found that if you go through them, almost all expenses are paid and the wait could be a lot shorter than going through an agency. THey gladly accept single people to be approved to adopt and help a ton in the process! Good luck! I just finished my home study and have completed all required classes(all at no expense to me). I am in OK, but I am sure it is the same in other states! Good luck!

Hiya! The name of Lee Varon's book is "Adopting on Your Own: The Complete Guide to Adoption for Single Parents." And yes, you CAN get it on Amazon.com. ...For $10.50 plus shipping no less -- a cheap price to pay. I, too, am single and would like to adopt. I haven't actually started the process yet (and I won't for at least 2 years, possibly more because I have some things I need to accomplish first), but her book looks like a good one. I haven't actually bought it yet, but the sample chapters and the reviews look good too. In anything I've undertaken, I've found that good research is invaluable. When you know the situation and the rules of the game, it makes doing anything much easier to get done! Good luck to you! Michelle

Wow I was suprised to hear 30 places turned you down! I didn't have any problems finding an agency that was willing to work with me as a single adoptive parent. Then again, I'm doing a healthy African-American infant adoption and there is typically a shortage of families for AA infants so most agencies readily accept singles. I suppose it must depend on the type of adoption you're looking to do. If you're planning to adopt from another country I know many of them have restrictions against singles adopting. I always knew it was tough to find healthy causian infants for domestic adoption but I didn't realize it would be difficult for a single to even try! I also tried adoption through the foster care system but I want an infant and there were none to be had in my state. I agree "Adopting On Your Own" is a great resource and an easy read. I think it will help you decide which of the many avenues you'd like to take on your adoption journey. Good luck and keep us posted, Dawn

yep, agencies refused me too. it wasn't so much that they 'refused' but i got the distinct impression that a) they weren't interested and b) they wouldn't advocate for me. i was told that birth moms place with married couples. period. i was told that the race of the child was irrelevant -- meaning that they did not place african-american children with single parents. so i'm going the international route. best of luck to you!

Hi Shoshana, I didn't have much trouble finding an agency receptive to singles because I found a great resource/agency list, the "Report on Intercountry Adoptions". It has lots and lots of agencies, countries they work with, their clients (singles, age restrictions, etc.) and the basic requirement for each country. I ordered it from International Concerns For Children, 911 Cypress Drive, Boulder, CO 80303-2821. They ask that you send a "donation" of $25.00. It was well worth it and they really keep it up to date. Debbie, Working on adoption a girl under 2 from Kazahkstan. My dossier is at the Kazakhstan Embassy in DC at the moment!

That does sound like an excellent resource. I think my post wasn't clear -- I meant to say that I was 'rejected' by agencies for single-parent domestic adoption. Agencies were fine accepting me for international adoption! Congrats on your upcoming adoption. My paperwork is just about ready to be sent to the Russian embassy!

Shoshana, You are right about the difference/difficulty for single parents to adopt domestically versus going the international route. At age 45 (now 46) I didn't even attempt to adopt domestically...I didn't want to wait a long time. Good luck on your adoption from Russia. It sounds like you, too are in that exciting but very frustrating waiting period when your paperwork is done but you can't get on the plane. Debbie

The State of NJ will definitely consider single parents from the foster care system. After research decided on International Adoption. Some of the countries that will allow single parent adoptions include Russia, Kazhakstan, Viet Nam, Bulgaria, Guatamala (there are challenges in Guatamala right now). I know that there are countried in South America as well. I believe Columbia. I am in the process of adopting from Russia. It turned out to be the right choice for me. Good Luck in finding your route!