Hello, I am going through the same process and have been down your road.. It is very tiresome, but its worth it. First I want you to know that you can and will wear yourself out on the details, photos etc... My advice to you is to first dont do what I did.. That is wear yourself out looking for a child.. By the time the process is over, you may or may not be able to even find that particular child, although it has been done, chances are slinder I would think.
I fist began this process back in 2005, my dh and I werent married long enough so we had to wait for another year before we began again... I contacted our local DHS worker and asked to begin the process. IT TOOK FOREVER, I felt but it was only a few weeks and I was so excited I wanted answers NOW... I would email my SW and she wouldnt reply and when she did, the answers were short and few. I was so very frustrated. I would find a child and then, to my let down, the child would be protentially matched already. It was so confusing. SO, I want to help and this is how. I am going to send you some links that I found in my research and it will help answer a lot of your questions. This is the process:
Call and notify DHS that you are interested and dont stop calling or emailing them. Until you have found that they are working for you.
I would also contact adoptuskids.com and asked them to put you into their system. One church one source is a great one as well if you are in the South Central parts of the US.
Here in Arkansas, they do Background, crim and local checks on everyone in the household above 10. They do a DMV check on all drivers in the house.
Then, they will contact you for orientation, may not be in this order, but they will invite you to one. At orientation, all of your questions will and can get answered.
Here in Arkansas, they do a home visit. This is to ensure you have a safe home. Plugin covers, smoke detectors, knives and meds put up high, chems put up high etc...
The application process takes place. We are asked to fill out the application. Hide nothing! Honesty is the best policy. They are looking for wackos and abusers as was already stated.
You have to either take PRIDE or MAPP classes, Or whatever your state requires. They are parental classes and I have heard they are great, however each state requirements are different. You need to seach out your states requirements and I have a good link for that below.
You will begin home study visits and get approval.
Like I said before, every state is different. Research all this for yourself. I have links to help below. Read read read... The info is out there and is available to all.
I was told yesterday that in state adoption is easier than out of state due to red tape and the children also have a say in if they want to leave state or not. After, this is their life. Also, you have to visit the child(s) often before the child(s) can even be placed. This can be difficult when you are in another state.
Here I beleive that the child is placed in your home and there is a wait of 6 mo to 12 mo before you can make it legal. The best interest of the children are in mind here. They want to make sure that you are matched and make sure that the children are happy in their new home.
I was also told that fostering offers you the best chances for younger children. Weather this is true or not, I am not sure.
Here are the links, I pray that they help.
Freddie Mac Foundation: Grant Information
National Adoption Foundation
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
NACAC | How to Adopt
The last two links are awesome, browse every tab, it tells you state by state information. Remember all that I have stated above is only my own PERSONAL experience, each state is different and has different requirements. Hugs!!
I pray you are blessed with your decision. I am happy for you both and may GOd bless you on your journey..