[JustWondering85]

I just contacted my local department of social services about information on foster-adopt program but It's been a couple days and they havent contacted me. I'm single and 20 years old... won't be 21 til february, and have wanted to adopt for some time now. According to my state's DSS website: Any adult over the age of 18 may become a foster parent. However it say nothing about the minimum age to adopt a child from foster care. So I assume the required age to adopt is 21.. In that case I thought about becoming a foster parent to a child and if/when the child is available for adoption I'd be of legal age to adopt them... Do anyone know of someone in my same situation or of my same age who has done this? I know a couple people who have fostered children but they were all married and in their late 20's-30's. I just feel like the social workers would think I was too young and be against me fostering anyone. Please give me some advice. Thanks.

[skootinalong2]

Hi. I live in CA. I do not know if you have to be 21 or not. We do have foster parents your age though. I know a foster mother who is single and 21. She is in the process of adopting a little boy 2 yrs old.

[radkat]

In my state (Ohio) you can foster at age 18...but you have to be 21 to adopt.
I started fostering at age 25. Be prepared for people trying to test how serious you are about doing this.

Good luck on your journey,
Kat

[mimc]

As far as I know, you're probably old enough, but you should probably expect a lot of questions about your age, maturity level, financial stability, seriousness about pursuing foster/adoption at this point in your life, etc.

Why do you want to do this right now, as opposed to waiting until you're a little older?