Adoption in Arkansas
Adoption is a wonderful way to build a family, but with it comes many questions. There are several types of adoption options in Arkansas. You may adopt through special needs adoption, international adoption and domestic infant adoption.
Who May Adopt
If you are interested in adoption in Arkansas you must be at least 21 years old with a maximum age of 55 years old.
Marriage is not a requirement to adopt. If you are married, you must be married for a minimum of 2 years, divorced for a minimum of one year, and you may be single.
You do not have to own your home, but you must have adequate space and your home must be safe.
Every person who applies for adoption in Arkansas, whether international, domestic, or special needs, must have a home study conducted prior to receiving placement of a child.
Arkansas Adoption Home Studies
What does a home study involve? It is an inspection, for lack of a better word, of your home, your background, your financial ability to raise a child, your parenting skills or tools, your marriage (if applicable) and many other aspects of your life. To some people it feels intrusive, but you will go through the same types of questions, no matter which avenue of adoption you choose to pursue.
Arkansas Infant Adoption
If you are interested in domestic infant adoption, or are a birth parent who would like to make an adoption plan, you can do so through a licensed adoption agency, or through an adoption attorney. There are many attorneys who specialize in adoption in Arkansas. Be sure that the attorney that you choose understands the laws in order to protect both parties. You can find a list of agencies licensed for adoption in Arkansas through or social services. Adoption attorneys can be found through the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, or through your local social services office.
If you are pregnant and feel that you can not have the resources to care for a child, or to make an adoption plan, Arkansas does have a Safe Haven law. This allows you to leave your baby up to 30 days old with a medical provider or at a police department, and they will help to place your infant in a safe environment.
Arkansas Special Needs Adoption
What is special needs adoption in Arkansas? These are children who are currently in foster care for various reasons, mostly abuse and/or neglect. Arkansas social services will not facilitate the adoption of a healthy, white child from birth to nine years, unless there are other criteria that qualify the child as a special needs child.
Arkansas International Adoption
While Arkansas itself has an age range of 21 to 55 for adoptive parents, other countries have different age ranges. If you are interested in adopting internationally contact an agency that deals with the country you want to pursue. Agencies have different levels of knowledge about various countries.
Arkansas Reunification
If you are an adult who was adopted in Arkansas, or a parent who placed a child for adoption in Arkansas, and are interested in a reunion, you may contact the Mutual Consent Voluntary Adoption Registry (MCVAR).
The more information you have available, such as names at the time of the birth, hospital and date, the more likely you are to be successful.
Helping birth mothers find the right adoptive family.
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