Adoption in Vermont

You`re interested in adoption, but you`re not sure where to start. In Vermont, you have several options for adoption available. The first thing you must decide is the type of adoption you are interested in. Do you want an infant or an older child? Do you want to adopt domestically or internationally? These decisions will determine where you start.

Who May Adopt In Vermont

You must be at least 21 years old. You can be single, married, living with a partner, or joined through a civil union. Adoptive parents are considered regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. These criteria may be different if you decide to pursue an international adoption.

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Vermont Adoption Home Study

No matter what type of adoption you decide to pursue, a home study will be required. A home study is a bit like an investigation. You are required to submit to background checks, fingerprinting, financial means verification, as well as very personal discussions about your marriage or divorce (if applicable), your child hood, family relationships, and parenting styles, along with checking to make sure your home meets size and safety regulations.

International Adoption In Vermont

When adopting internationally there is a large age range of children available. There are some factors to consider since each country has its own laws. Some countries limit the age of people that are allowed to adopt, and others do not allow adoptions of younger children. This will help you determine the country that you are interested in adopting from, and will also help determine which agencies you should use. Be sure to choose an agency who has experience in adoptions from that country, and that is licensed in Vermont.

Infant Adoption In Vermont

If you are interested in adopting an infant in Vermont, it will be handled through an adoption agency or an adoption attorney. Just as with an international adoption, make sure that any agency or attorney that you use is licensed in Vermont and has experience with infant adoptions.

If you are a birth mother and plan to place your child for adoption but are unable to make an adoption plan you may take advantage of Vermont`s Safe Haven law. To be covered by the law, you must hand your baby (up to 30 days old) to an employee or volunteer of a Safe Haven. This includes any: fire or police station; health care facility; place of worship; adoption agency licensed in Vermont; or a place where an emergency responder, contacted through 911, agrees to meet you to receive your baby.

Vermont Older Child Or Special Needs Adoption

Older child, or special needs adoption, is available in Vermont. These adoptions are facilitated through Vermont Social Services. The children available for adoption are currently in foster care. Special needs adoption does not mean that the child has physical or mental disabilities. It could mean that the child is older, from a minority, or part of a sibling group that needs to stay together.

Many agencies will require that you take 30 hours of pre-adoption education classes to help educate yourself about the types of things you might encounter in special needs adoption.

Vermont Adoption Registry

If you are adopted, or if you placed a child for adoption, or if you are the biological sibling of an adopted person, you may wish to learn more about your birth family. Vermont maintains a passive adoption registry, which means both parties must register their consent for identifying information to be made available. Contact the Vermont Department of Health, Vital Records Division for more information.

Back to the main Vermont Adoption page.