[winterparkwannabees]

My husband and I who are both in our 40's are looking to adopt. We have no idea where to start. Domestic or International? We only know we're looking to adopt a young girl. We live in central florida and don't know if we're restricted to using florida based only adoption agencies. and if so, which one is right for us? I'm sure many other new couples have posted a similar question, but if anyone would care to reply we'd be very very grateful. Thanks

[mommamarci]

You do not have to use a Florida agency. My dh and I chose to stay within our state because it makes things simpler. Adoption laws are governed by the state, so they vary a lot from state to state. However, you can use a different agency and adopt from a different state. (At least to my knowledge you can!) Your first decision needs to be domestic or international. Some agencies do both, but most do not so that will affect which agencies you will want to look at. The most important thing to me was having the child from birth, so our decision was already made. However, a lot of people like international because there is less fear of birth parents coming back to reclaim. If you have any specific questions I can answer, I would be happy to! Just let me know!

[winterparkwannabees]

Hi Marci,

thanks for the quick reply. My husband already has 4 grown kids, but I don't have any. That alone may be a factor for us. We're not interesed in adopting from birth. In fact we'd prefer a young girl say 2 or 3 y/o up to 5 or 6 y/o. I've been looking at some domestic agencies but they all seem to be geared toward new birth adoptions. Should I be looking at Florida Dept of children's services? We'd love to adopt either domestically or internationally. Whoever will have us!!! We've also only been married a year, and I see that some countries require 5 years -- another factor against us. Where is the best place to look to find out whether we would fulfill the requirements for either a domestic or international scenario? thx again.

Rita And Jeff

[StorkWatcher]

You might check out the INt'l boards here. Russia and Guatemala's are very busy, and have parents with great advice and knowledge.

I've found the only way to check domestic agencies is to contact them individually.

I would definitely check out the State, too. I'll post you some links in a moment.


Good luck!

[StorkWatcher]

Rita - try these links
to Guatemala boards http://forums.adoption.com/forumdisplay.php?f=19
To Russia http://forums.adoption.com/forumdisplay.php?f=173
To China http://forums.adoption.com/forumdisplay.php?f=17

To see index of all foster boards http://forums.adoption.com/forumdisplay.php?f=376

[winterparkwannabees]

Thanks Ladies so very much. I'll look at the those links right away. I've looked at the waiting child list for the state of florida. There are so few girls there, but i guess I knew that already. I've heard of agencies working to place orphaned children from New Orleans and Texas. Does anyone have information on that? Also, sorry to be a pest, but is there a link anywhere that describes the adoption requirements for all (well okay most) of the participating countries? I'm concerned with our age, short amount of time we've been married, and my husbands children, we'll be relegated to the bottom of the list!! Or not be on the list at all. Ouch!

thx, Rita

[mommamarci]

Winter- There is an agency I am familiar with called Families Through International Adoption. If you google it, you can find the website. They list the legal requirements for several countries on their website. I am not sure if there is a place on here that does that. I know I have looked at FTIA's website to get info because we have considered international later on our lives and I was curious about requirements. Hope this helps!

[cmr2]

My husband and I have also started the adoption process and what helped us to decide whether or not to do domestic or international was attending workshops on adoption. In MA we got involved with a company called Resolve of the Bay state. I'm not sure it they are located around the country. We were really thinking about going to China and then attended a workshop on Domestic adoption and we changed our minds. I really want that bonding in the first few months. Agencies now work with other states by using faciltators. These facilitators work for you to find you a baby. We will be working with an agency in Boston but we will also be working with a facilitator some place else in the United States. We have not decide on what other state we will be working in yet. I wish you all the best!!!!

[jenniferw223]

Hello. I wanted to welcome you. We are also in the Central FL area. We completed our adoption from Guatemala in January. Guatemala does not have an age limit, a limit to how many children you already have, and does usually have children of all ages available for adoption. You do not have to use a FL based agency. The most important thing about Guatemala is to research the agencies and choose a good one. This can make a world of difference. There are alot of changes that are going to place for Guatemala adoptions in 2007 so not to rush you but if you choose to go with Guatemala you may want to start soon. Good luck and feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

[winterparkwannabees]

We decided to go with an International adoption. We really wanted a girl and we wanted a toddler -- this way she'll be just a little closer in age to my husband's grown kids and I still get that baby like time with her. We're leaning toward Vietnam but China is also a strong possibility. (My niece was adopted from China last year and she's just soooo cute!) The search for the right agency just seems so hard. But I've signed us up for a few seminars and I think you're right -- that really is the first best step. Jennifer, did you do any seminars here in Central Fl?

Rita

[HBV]

I just wanted to share that we were in a similar position in terms of our age and length of time we'd been married. We went through a non profit agency for a domestic open adoption. To get around the marriage issue, we had our priest write a letter asking that the agency waive the marriage length requirement, and we were matched w/ our son w/in 9 months of completing our initial paperwork---only 4 months from our homestudy completion. It is possible---don't get discouraged.

[winterparkwannabees]

Well I've been able to find 2 of the 19 listed agencies that will work with us. 2 others would not and 1 said they would consider it. Still waiting feed back on a few others i placed emails/phone calls to. I understand how it would make sense to ask couples to wait a year before beginning the adoption process, but we figure we're "old" folks now and can't afford to wait several more months just to begin the process!!! I want this poor child to have a somewhat youngish mommy! Otherwise I'll have to chase her around in my walker.... It is a tough journey just to find the right agency, but from all the happy pictures i keep seeing, i know it's well worth all the work and struggle right now. Can't wait just to sign up with an agency so we can start the really fun part (ha ha)