Work only with authorized agencies and attorneys with expertise in the specific type of adoption you wish to pursue. The Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys (AAAA) website and the organization New York Attorneys for Adoption and Family Formation Mission (NYAAFF) are good starting points.
New York – If you intend to pursue private placement adoption, you will have to be certified as a qualified adoptive parent by a Family or Surrogate’s Court. New Yorkers wishing to pursue an agency adoption may only work with New York authorized adoption agencies. The list of authorized agencies may be found here.
New Jersey – You must become “home study approved” by an agency licensed to provide adoption services by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families. The list of authorized agencies may be found here.
You never know how you may learn of a child to be adopted. The more people who know that you plan to adopt, the better.
Ask questions. Do research. Read about adoption in books, magazines and on trustworthy websites and connect with others going through the adoption process.
Payments to “adoption facilitators” are illegal in both New York and New Jersey. Facilitators are unlicensed agencies or individuals who charge a fee to match you with birth parents.
