Frequently Asked Questions About Adoption
Do I have to be married to adopt?
No. Whether you are single, married, or divorced you can adopt a child.
Are there age requirements for adoptive parents?
Children’s Home Society of Virginia requires that applicants for adoption be at least twenty-five years old.
If I don’t own a home can I still adopt?
Yes. It doesn’t matter whether you rent or own, live in apartment, a house, or a mobile home, all you need is a home that is clean and safe.
Do I have to make a certain amount of money to adopt?
No. There are no specific income requirements, but you must be able to financially manage the addition of a child or children to your family.
Can I adopt if I have ever been convicted of a crime?
You must pass a criminal background check, and have no prior history of involvement with a child welfare agency due to an upheld allegation of child abuse or neglect.
How much does it cost to adopt?
Children’s Home Society of Virginia has reasonable fees for adopting an infant. A current fee schedule is available upon request. There is no fee for adopting a child who is in foster care and waiting to be adopted into a permanent, loving home.
Who are the children waiting to be adopted from foster care?
There are nearly 1,600 children throughout Virginia that are waiting to be adopted. Most of them are living in foster homes, though a few live in residential facilities. They are of all races, about half girls and half boys, and mostly over 9 years old. Many of these children have special needs related to prior neglect and/or abuse. Click Here to meet some of them!
What does “special needs” mean when adopting a waiting child?
Special needs refers to the physical, behavioral and emotional needs that the children have stemming from the difficulty some of them have seen in their lives. All children who have experienced the trauma of neglect and/or child abuse, and have been separated from their biological family have some special needs. Others may be part of a sibling group, may be a minority or multiracial, or simply a child over the age of six.
What does “special needs” mean when adopting an infant?
It is the term used for infants born heavily exposed to drugs or alcohol. It is also used to identify infants with a family history of mental illness or mental retardation, or if the infant has serious medical issues such as cerebral palsy or spina bifida.
How long will it take to adopt an infant?
It is difficult to give an exact amount of time since it varies from family to family. You can, however, be certain that your Children’s Home Society social worker will be there to support you until a placement is made.
How long will it take to adopt a child from foster care?
There are five steps to receiving placement of a child who is waiting for a permanent, loving home:
- Attend an orientation to learn more about the process, and complete a registration form.
- Complete an eight-week training class to help prepare you for the special challenges of a child who has faced neglect/abuse.
- Complete a Home Study and receive approval.
- Select a child or children.
- Make preliminary visits with your child.
This process usually takes six to nine months – sometimes less – to complete depending on the timing of training classes, your personal schedule, and the amount of time it takes you to select a child.
After the child is placed with you, counseling is provided to help with adjustments, and six months of supervision is provided for additional support. On-going services are provided after the adoption is final.
Do we need an attorney to help with the adoption?
In most adoption placements you will need an attorney. However, there is no need to retain an attorney before meeting with a social worker from Children's Home Society of Virginia.