Adoption agencies are the engine of adoption — they make the process work. Agencies offer a variety of important services for prospective birth mothers and hopeful adoptive parents. If you are considering adoption in Vancouver, you will need to find a Vancouver adoption agency to work with.

This is a daunting task for most people. As you consider adoption, you’re likely finding an overwhelming amount of information. The adoption process, requirements, options to choose from — it’s a lot. This guide to adoption agencies in Vancouver will, hopefully, help you get a grip on how to find the best agency for your adoption.

In a simple and straightforward way, we’ll look at what agencies do, the types of agencies you can choose from and how to find the best ones.

Adoption can be a beautiful and life-changing journey. Finding the right agency is vital to this process.

How Adoption Agencies in Vancouver Help You

There are a lot of things required by adoption that you can’t do on your own. You can try through a process called “independent adoption,” but it is often not recommended. Going through the process without the guidance of an experienced professional usually results in a higher rate of adoption disruptions (when the adoption fails) and a greater risk that this process did not fully follow the law.

Adoption agencies in Vancouver assist prospective birth mothers and hopeful adoptive families in vital ways throughout the process.

For pregnant women considering adoption, agencies help to create an adoption plan, facilitate any available adoption financial assistance, find the perfect adoptive family, create a hospital plan for the baby’s birth and more. Choosing adoption for your baby is incredibly difficult. You shouldn’t have to carry the weight of any additional pressure during this time. That’s where the adoption agency comes in — to walk with you through each step and complete the adoption.

Adoptive families benefit significantly from the help of Vancouver adoption agencies, too. The agency you choose to work with will play a large role in determining:

• How long you wait for an adoption opportunity
• How prepared you are to ace the home study
• The ease of pre- and post-placement communication in open adoption situations
• Your financial security
• Successfully finalizing your adoption
• Adherence to all adoption laws
• And more

Adoption agencies offer invaluable guidance and support to hopeful parents.

The Three Types of Adoption Agencies

Before looking at specific agencies, you’ll need to narrow down a broader category: the type of adoption agency you want to work with. This is dependent on the type of adoption you think will be best. There are three types of adoption, and, correspondingly, three types of adoption agencies in Vancouver.

• First, there are private adoption agencies in Vancouver. If you are pregnant and considering placing your baby for adoption, this is the kind of agency you should contact. For hopeful parents, private adoption agencies assist in the domestic infant adoption process. If you hope to adopt an infant from the U.S., then this is the type of agency for you.
• Second, there are Vancouver adoption and foster care agencies. Another way for hopeful parents to adopt from within the U.S. is foster care adoption. The type of adoption typically involves children who are older. There are more than 2,000 children in Washington’s foster care system waiting for adoption. While it has unique challenges, foster care adoption could be a great way to start your family.
• Finally, there are international adoption agencies in Vancouver. Many American families decide to adopt a child from another country. Finding a good international adoption agency is vital to this process, which can be long and complicated.

Finding the Best Adoption Agencies in Vancouver

The type of adoption agency you choose is up to you. Based on your unique needs and desires, you will be able to determine which agency is going to be right for you. When searching for an agency, here are a few things to keep an eye out for:

• Availability: Things will come up during the adoption process at all hours. Does the agency have someone there to answer the phone 24/7, or do they restrict availability to normal office hours?
• Licensing: Adoption professionals are licensed in different ways. Some professionals are not subject to outside review, while others are held to high legal and ethical standards. Ask if the agency is fully-licensed to be sure that they do adoption the right way.
• Experience: How many placements has the agency made? How many cases do they handle each year? Finding the most experienced Vancouver adoption agencies will put you in a better position for a smooth, successful adoption.
• Proven Track Record: Does the agency have a specific average wait time? What about a precise explanation of adoption costs for the adoptive family? Agencies who carefully track their work can set you up for success, while ones who converse in vague generalities can leave you disappointed.

Adoption Agencies in Vancouver

When you feel ready to begin researching specific adoption agencies, here are a few organizations you could consider:

Private Adoption Agencies in Vancouver:

• American Adoptions
• Choice Adoptions

Vancouver Adoption and Foster Care Agencies:

• Northwest Adoption Exchange

International Adoption Agencies in Vancouver:

• Agape Adoptions
• All God’s Children International

What Comes Next?

The next step toward adoption is researching and contacting adoption agencies. Go in with a list of questions and sense of what you are looking for. Once you find an agency that is right for you, you are on your way toward adoption.