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You have many options, and the type of child you want will drive who you work with during the adoption process. Spend some time considering the following:  Do you want to adopt a child in the U.S.? This is called a domestic adoption. However, you might have to wait a long time for a child to become available. Do you want to adopt a child internationally? You might have a better chance at finding a child, but international adoptions can be complicated and more expensive. Do you want a baby, or are you open to adopting an older child? Would you like the child to be the same race, ethnicity, or religion as you? You might need to wait longer, depending on your preferences. Check your phone book or perform an Internet search to find private agencies. Generally, private agencies provide full service, including adoption education, counseling, home studies, and post-adoption services. Adopting a child will cost you around $4,000-30,000.  Make sure the agency is properly licensed. Call the Department of Social Services (DSS), Children’s Division, at 573-751-4954. Also check with the Missouri State’s Attorney General’s Office to see if the agency has been sued. Instead of working with an agency, you can hire a lawyer. They can search for a child to adopt by contacting doctors, advertising in the newspaper, or helping you create a website.  Make sure the lawyer specializes in adoption and not in another field. Obtain a referral from the Missouri bar association by calling 573-636-3635 or visiting www.mobar.org. Discuss fees ahead of time. Lawyers charge different amounts depending on their experience and the complexity of the adoption. Generally, they charge $5,000-40,000. Missouri’s Department of Social Services handles the adoption process. There are about 2,000 foster children in Missouri awaiting adoption. You can either become a foster parent first or adopt the child directly. Some foster children are special needs, but don’t let that deter you from considering them. You can get money from the state, around $200-300 a month. Many people adopt from China, Eastern Europe, or Latin America. You should find an agency approved for Hague intercountry adoptions. International adoptions are complicated, so thoroughly research the adoption agency. International adoptions can cost up to $35,000.  Ask for three or more referrals from people who have adopted through the agency and be sure to call them. Ask the referrals how complicated the process was. Did the parents feel like they had sufficient support? Did someone from the agency travel with them to the foreign country? Find out if there were hidden expenses or whether everything cost about what they expected.
Assess your situation and preferences. Work with a private agency for a domestic adoption. Hire an adoption lawyer for a private placement. Work with the state to adopt a foster child. Find an agency that specializes in international adoptions.