Adopting a child into a family in North Carolina is an exciting and sometimes challenging process. As prospective adoptive parents, you have many important decisions to make. One of the most fundamental of these is whether to adopt internationally or domestically. This should be one of the first decisions you make as it affects your options in regard to future decisions.
Neither international or domestic adoption is better or worse than the other type. They are merely different. According to Resolve.org, either domestic or international adoption may be a better fit for your family, depending on your individual situation and preferences. Here are some factors to consider when choosing between international and domestic adoption.
Desired contact with birth family
The level of contact you wish to have with your adopted child’s birth family can influence which type of adoption you choose. It is increasingly rare for domestic adoptions to be completely closed. At the very least, you will likely have conversations with the birth mother prior to the baby’s birth, whether via telephone or face to face, and at the very least, she will know your first names. If you desire no contact with the birth family whatsoever, an international adoption may be a better choice.
Age of child
Adopting internationally means that your child will be an infant or toddler by the time he or she becomes part of your family. If it is important to you to adopt a newborn, the only way to accomplish this is through a domestic adoption.
Associated costs
The costs associated with adoption vary depending on your situation. In the case of an international adoption, costs also vary by country. International adoption fees have a wider average range than domestic adoptions. You can expect to pay anywhere between $15,000 and $50,000 for an international adoption, compared with $20,000 to $35,000 to adopt domestically.
The information in this article is not intended as legal advice but provided for educational purposes only.
