If you have decided to pursue an adoption through an adoption agency, you will need to be a savvy shopper. There are hundreds of agencies in the U.S. and around the world. . The decision of which agency you ultimately choose will be one of the most crucial decisions you will make after the decision to adopt. Do not be influenced by attractive websites, glossy brochures, and multiple photos of adoptable children on photo listings. None of these are reliable indicators of an organized, ethical, moral or responsible adoption agency.

What kinds of agencies are there?
1.    Private Adoption Agencies:  A private adoption agency can also be a not-for-profit agency, but it is privately funded. Some handle both domestic and intercountry adoptions. Fees for private agencies vary considerably. In order to compare apples to apples find out exactly what the fees cover.

2.    Public Adoption Agencies: Public agencies do not handle intercountry adoptions, and generally deal with the adoption of older children, sibling groups, and children with special psychological or physical needs. These adoptions are generally free or there is a modest fee, and often parents adopting a child with special needs are eligible for state and federal subsidies. Generally these agencies can be found in the telephone book in the government section under “Department of Social Services” or “Department of Public Welfare.”

It goes without saying that you should use a licensed agency that employs experienced and professional licensed social workers. An agency that has just opened a program in a particular country does not have the experience that you may be looking for. Find out exactly how many children they have placed and the average length it took. Ask for a list of adoptive parents you can call for referrals and make sure you call them. In particular, ask to speak to someone who had a challenging adoption process, to find out how the agency handled it.

How do I get a list of adoption agencies?
Contact the National Adoption Information Clearing House for an up to date list of adoption agencies in the U.S.

What if I’m pursuing an intercountry adoption?
You must ensure that the agency you choose has been accredited and is an approved Hague Adoption Service Provider by the U.S. Department of State. You can find up to date information on the Department of State website.

Can I Only Use An Agency Within My State?
No, you can use an agency outside your state, if it is licensed to work in your state.

Should I go by other people’s referrals?
To a certain extent it is very good to hear other people’s firsthand experience with an adoption agency. However, every person has different needs, especially during the adoption process.

For example, some people prefer a “hands on” agency that guides them through each step of the process and coddles them to a certain extent. There are some excellent agencies out there that are not like this, so even though they are reputable and reliable, they may not be for you.

What about contacting adoption support groups for information about agencies?
This is an additional and often used tool for choosing an agency. Just remember that you are getting subjective opinions and hearing only one side of the story.

How can I know if there have been any complaints against an agency I’m interested in?
You can contact the Better Business Bureau or the Office of the Attorney General to find out if any complaints have been lodged.

What should you ask an agency when you first contact them?
After you’ve decided that you are interested in a particular agency, you now have the opportunity to interview them. They are used to this and often answer most of your questions smoothly and eagerly. If they are a local agency, you can do this in person, otherwise do it by phone, not email or snail mail. Ask to speak to the director of the agency, or at the very least, the director of the adoption program you are interested in.

Here are some questions that you should ask the agency:
1.    What is the fee structure and what services does the agency provide?
2.    Will there be one person I have contact with over the adoption process?
3.    For intercountry adoptions, what happens if the country we are adopting from closes its doors to adoption when we are midway through the adoption process?
4.    Are there in-country coordinators to help us when we do the pickup trip? (for intercountry adoptions)
5.    What kind of preparation for adoption will the agency provide?
6.    Does the agency provide post adoption services?
7.    How often will we receive updated reports after we receive a referral (intercountry adoptions)?

Here are some red flags you should watch for:

1. They make promises that sound too good to be true. For example, promising that your child will be home in record time.
2. They want all the money up front; you don’t receive receipts for payments.
3. They don’t explain the adoption process in detail and you just have to figure it out for yourself.
4. They have gag clauses in the contract, or there is no contract.
5. They are wonderful when you first call, but once you’ve signed on it is hard to get hold of them.
6. When there are problems in the international adoption scene they start avoiding your calls.
7. There is constant staff turnover at the agency.
13. They don’t turn away applications even when they don’t have the staff to handle them.
14. They continue giving referrals for certain countries when it is no longer advisable to do so.
15. They don’t train their staff well.
18. They are ignorant of the culture and politics of the country you are adopting from.
19. They are disrespectful, unpleasant and impatient