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North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC)

North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC)—How to Adopt

This section summarizes the following 14 steps typically involved in adopting a special needs child from the United States foster care system:

  • Educate yourself about adoption
  • Decide what type of adoption you want to pursue
  • Investigate ways to cover adoption expenses
  • Select and adoption agency
  • Let your agency know that you are serious about adopting
  • Complete an adoption application
  • Begin the home study process
  • Attend adoption and parenting classes
  • Begin searching for a child
  • Select a child
  • Prepare for your child’s arrival
  • Have the child placed in your home
  • File a petition to adopt
  • Finalize the adoption