Click here for more information. Adopting a child can be a long and bumpy journey. But the reward can be truly wonderful. About two-thirds of all adoptions are arranged by private or public adoption agencies. A public agency is a state or county agency which places children and is supported by consumer tax dollars.
Most private agencies are non-profit organizations.
Although the majority of adoption agencies, attorneys or others involved in the adoption process are honest and helpful, there are a few which have questionable practices. Some agencies or attorneys, for example, may charge exorbitant fees or ask for a retainer in full when the person applies, without provisions for refunds of any kind. Contact the BBB for a reliability report on the agency. You can also contact your State Adoption Specialist, or an individual at your state Social Services headquarters to see if there are any complaints or investigations about the agency. Consider calling adoptive parent groups in your area and ask them if any members have had experience with the agency.