Special Adoptions

There are adoption situations that are considered outside the norm which we refer to as special adoptions.  Below we discuss these types of adoption and list the best places for information on them.

It is estimated that there are over 100,000 children in the U.S. who have special needs and are waiting to be adopted.  In order to help facilitate the adoption of a special needs child the state and U.S. governments provide financial assistance.

A single woman or a single man may find more obstacles to adopting a child than a married couple.  However, the adoption of a healthy child by a single man or woman has become common enough that with some extra research and effort a single person can adopt a healthy child.

Relatives of the birth mother or birth father may want to adopt the birth mother's child.  Each state defines "relative" differently, including relatives through blood, marriage, or adoption.

Step-parent adoption is the most common form of child adoption. This site will help step-parents in the child adoption process and advises step-parents to consult with a child adoption attorney to determine the relevant legal requirements.

In a transracial or transcultural child adoption you will be adopting a child that is of a race or ethnic group that is different than yours.  In the U. S. trans-racial or trans-cultural child adoption often refers to the placement of a Black, Hispanic, Asian child or a child from another country with U.S. Caucasian adoptive parents; however, there are many other types of transracial or transcultural adoption.  

Gay and lesbian singles and couples often find many doors closed to them and  can have a difficult time in a child adoption.  This site lists several organizations and publications supporting gay and lesbian parenting, including the status of gay and lesbian parenting, issues, laws, and more.