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(I just joined after finding this forum on Google. Wrong section?)
I was wondering what the minimum age is to adopt in the US?
Some other stuff about me: I'm a Chinese female living in Los Angeles and I'm currently only turning 20 so I'm gonna put off on my plans to adopt until I'm at least 25+.
But I'm also hoping to adopt East Asian kids (not to be racist; I feel we have more in common and those countries are super needy). Most sites I've looked at require you to be 25+ or 30+ and even ask you be married. Someone told me that there are East Asian kids even in the US but they tend to be harder for most people to get since they are non-Asians trying to adopt. I'm interested in either category.
Thanks in advance!
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I believe the minimum age is 18 but it can vary by adoption type/agency/circumstances. I think your best bet is to inquire with local adoption resources. Generally most agencies will not have issues with a single 25 year old female but they can set their own requirements (ie Philipines only allows religious families; catholic I think? to adopt) in every area. Assume age won't be an issue but other circumstances could be.
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If you are adopting internationally, every country has its own requirements, and many do not allow singles. Agencies also have their own requirements.
If you are looking into adopting domestically, are you looking at foster care or private adoption? In private adoption, whether independent or through an agency, the expectant mom generally chooses the adoptive parent(s), although occasionally someone wants the agency to choose instead. Generally you would adopt a newborn privately. If you choose to adopt through foster care, you would most likely be adopting an older child, or fostering a legal risk child who might be available for adoption at some point. How many kids would be of east Asian descent would depend on the demographic make-up where you live.
You've got time to do some research and figure out what option is going to be best for you; I would suggest doing as much reading on adoption in general as you can, talking to people, going to trainings or workshops if they are available, as well as researching the different possibilities. Remember, too, that countries can and do change their requirements, so things may look different in international adoption 5 years down the road.
MellyG
I believe the minimum age is 18 but it can vary by adoption type/agency/circumstances. I think your best bet is to inquire with local adoption resources. Generally most agencies will not have issues with a single 25 year old female but they can set their own requirements (ie Philipines only allows religious families; catholic I think? to adopt) in every area. Assume age won't be an issue but other circumstances could be.
ruth74
If you are adopting internationally, every country has its own requirements, and many do not allow singles. Agencies also have their own requirements.
If you are looking into adopting domestically, are you looking at foster care or private adoption? In private adoption, whether independent or through an agency, the expectant mom generally chooses the adoptive parent(s), although occasionally someone wants the agency to choose instead. Generally you would adopt a newborn privately. If you choose to adopt through foster care, you would most likely be adopting an older child, or fostering a legal risk child who might be available for adoption at some point. How many kids would be of east Asian descent would depend on the demographic make-up where you live.
You've got time to do some research and figure out what option is going to be best for you; I would suggest doing as much reading on adoption in general as you can, talking to people, going to trainings or workshops if they are available, as well as researching the different possibilities. Remember, too, that countries can and do change their requirements, so things may look different in international adoption 5 years down the road.