There are two main avenues by which a domestic adoption is pursued. The first is through the United States Foster Care System. If you are interested in adopting through the U.S. Foster System, please visit the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services website.
The second avenue for pursuing a domestic adoption is through Newborn Infant Adoption. The domestic adoption process has changed greatly over the last several decades. In the past, adoptions were very rigid and secretive. Today, domestic adoptions can be adapted to the specific needs and desires of the families involved. Adoptions are also something to be cherished and celebrated!
Criteria for Domestic Adoption
- Residents in the state of Illinois
- Married applicants must be a minimum of 21 years of age
- Single applicants must be a minimum of 25 years of age
- Married couples must have been married for at least 2 years
- Income exceeds 125% of the federal poverty guideline
It is our goal at Illini Christian Ministries to come alongside adoptive families and work with them through the adoption journey. Each journey is unique and takes a different route, and our competent caseworkers will assist your family through the adoption process. There are several different avenues for pursuing a domestic adoptive placement. The first is by utilizing our agency as your placement agency. Our agency collaborates with local attorneys, pregnancy resource centers, and other adoption agencies in order to maximize our adoption network. The second option for pursuing a domestic placement is by utilizing ICM for home study services only and working with another adoption agency for your adoptive placement. A third option is by utilizing ICM for home study services only and hiring an adoption attorney for your adoptive placement. In these cases, ICM works cooperatively with the adoptive family’s placement agency or adoption attorney.
The Domestic Adoption Process
- Identify your home study and placement agencies (if different agencies), and apply to both
- Complete the home study process
- Complete your adoption profile to be shown to prospective birthparents
- Submit your home study and family adoption profile to your placement agency, and wait for the news that a birthmother has chosen your family
- Once your family has been chosen, and the baby has been born, the birthparents’ parental rights will be voluntarily terminated
- Bring the child home from the hospital or soon after release from the hospital
- Complete the post adoption requirements
Note that this is a summary of the main steps in the adoption process… This is not a comprehensive list of the entire process.