[jennifrita]

Hi... My husband and I are just beginning our adoption research. We are interested in international adoption but have not ruled out domestic. I would like to know if anyone has an agency they have used in Washington for intenational adoption and/or any other helpful info you may have for people who are just beginning. Do we have to go through an agency that is located in WA state or can we choose others? We live in Snohomish county.

Also I would like to know if it is better to have the home study completed through an agency or on our own? Any info you have is appreciated!

Thanks -
Jennifer

[Birthmommy]

Hello. I can tell you that Washington is a more adoption lenient state. My triplets were adopted in Texas which is one of the roughest, we had to use two agencies because you can't leave the state with the intention to place the baby (you can't leave after the 7 month of pregnancy). For the baby I just had, I had her in Washington, and flew to California to sign relinquishment, no problems.

I have had friends who adopted (they live in King County). They adopted through a Texas agency.

ICPC (interstate compacts) apply to every state, but it usually causes no problems.

If you have anymore questions, I will be happy to anwser or ask any of my many AP friends. you can email me at : snowlam79@aol.com

-angel

[Sylvester]

I am not sure what the last poster meant exactly... We are from TX. Texas has some of the better laws for adoptive parents. Once a birthparent signs it is over! They can not change their mind.

Now to your question. We have some friends who did an international adoption through WACAP. They had a wonderful experience with them. As far as domestic, I like New Hope. You need to research the WA state laws, in my opinion they are kind of weird. Be sure you ask lots of questions. Good luck

[joannemckay76]

We are from Wa state,Snohomish county too.We have been trying to adopt domestically, i had a couple freinds who used a great MSW to do the home study then hired a attorney.We did the same and havent adopted yet, though both freinds adopted within a year and a half.We used Mark Demarey in Edmonds, he is very good and very knowlegable. We pray alot and hope that there is that baby out there for us.Good luck, write and let me know how its going.

[jennifrita]

Thank you to everyone who responded. I am sure that I will really be using this board frequently for information and questions. Thanks again.

Jennifer

[nickosgal]

You can use any agency you want to. My friends are using new hope in seattle for international. We are doing domestic, so I don't have any other international agency experience.

We used a wonderful SW, his name is Brian: http://www.ahomestudy.com/contents.html

He is down near Tacoma, but will drive anywhere (we are up in Whatcom County). He is wonderful and has adopted 2 girls from China!

Good luck to you!

[debmott1220]

Hi, Jennifer: I posted information on another thread about the Christian adoption agency I am working at, Antioch Adoptions. Not sure if this is what you would be interested in, but it is an excellent agency, if you are. The website for more information is www.antiochadoptions.org. Good luck!