[USMCCOUPLE]

I guess I am anxious. We still have not even attended our initial meeting to begin our process but I just want to know how long does it usually take? I hate being this way so anxious but after 3 years of infertility I am ready to be a mom.

[HappyMom29]

I am sorry you have had to experience infertility. Unfortunately, I and my dh know those ropes all too well.

As for "how long" ---I have heard stories that it has taken weeks to years, literally. Depending on the type of adoption (private, domestic, int'l, older kids, etc..)

We got VERY lucky. We were certified in only 9 wks (usually takes 4-5 mths around here. Looking for a private adoption of Caucasion healthy newborn (which we were told to expect to wait a long time for!). Anyway---like I said, we have been VERY lucky....after attorneys in our area had our profiles for only 1 mth, our profile was presented to 1 birthmom and then another one 3 wks later. Just a few days ago, we found out that we were matched with the first one. It's almost unbelieveable.

Don't let the "wait" dishearten your desire for a child. Hold you dream close to your heart and anything is possible!

[USMCCOUPLE]

Wow thanks so much for your response. Actually was are in Cali and working through a private agency. We are wanting a birracial child since we are an interracial couple. I hope that that means our wait time might be less than 18 months or so I hope.

[supertrev]

Hi Sefi, I like you went thru 2 yrs of infertility. Total nightmare! We are going thru a private agency as well and are also in Ca. Ventura cnty. Anyhow, We did our home study and got approved in 3mths. That is really fast according to our social worker. There are a lot of requirements that have to be done to be approved. I recommend getting you fingerprints done ASAP as that takes a while to get clearance on. I know how you feel. I just want a baby NOW! The first day our books went out we got shown to a b-mom but her parents were heavily involved. Her parents wanted a older couple but the b-mom wanted us. However, the parents got what they wanted. I know it was not meant to be our baby but, knowing your being shown and not selected is hard! This whole thing is not easy! Now I am just waiting for the phone to ring! We are very open so hopefully it won't be to long. I would love to chat with you. It sounds like we might have a lot in common. I am just one little step ahead of you. I would love a pal to wait with! Do you mind me asking what area of Ca. you live in. Are you by any chance using Holy Families? If you want send me a personal message so we can chat! Good luck and God Bless!

[Support2Adopt]

Sefi,
Our longest adoption was nine months and our shortest was one week.
In regards to fingerprints, is you don't mind spending the extra money, you can get them done with an immediate response in CA.
I don't know if this program still exists or not, but there was a time that both Orange County and LA County had a program for potential Birthmothers that worked like any adoption agency, but for a fraction of the cost. You might try contacting them. (This would be through their individual county programs.)
JJ

[ISW]

Here's how long it took us:

Went to agency intro seminar Feb 2002
Had 1st draft of bmom letter completed Mar 2002
Completed written bios for both of us - 2 weeks
Fingerprint results took 8 weeks
Re-wrote and completed bmom letter - June 2002
Approved and In the book - July 2002

So I guess it took us 6 months to do everything which is probably on the lengthy side? But we did not feel the need to rush things.

[FamilyBound]

We brought our son home from Russia seven months after we decided to go the IA route (the night before our negative beta for our last IVF).

We went through four painful years of IF treatments, and once we decided on international adoption (after a failed domestic experience) we didn't look back.