What options are there on adoption, surrogate mother, etc and how do i get started?

My husband and I have wanted a child for 15 years so bad that it hurts every day. We can't have one ourselves, but I am unsure how to get started at anything we are not rich, but we could care well for a child.What options are there on adoption, surrogate mother, etc and how do i get started?
Well, there are many options from where you are sitting! Surrogacy is great, but it is expensive because you have to cover all of the medical bills ($$$$$)! I happen to be a huge adoption advocate (as an adoptive mother myself), so I will give you a little bit of info on adoption as a starting point! The best way to start is by finding a local agency (check with anyone you know that has adopted and follow up with the Better Business Bureau to check them out) and sit with a social worker with the agency that can help you to decide what kind of adoption would be best for you! I tried not to be biased (as I have completed one type and I am in the middle of a second type)! This is just a nutshell version, if you want more specific info, you can e-mail me!



International Adoption ($$$$ to $$$)

Pros- Lower risk than the others, Get to travel

Cons- Expensive, Takes a long time, Child is a little older (some have been living in an orphanage)



Domestic Adoption ($$$ to $$)

Pros- Typically get more info on biological parents, Can take a long time, Less expensive, No international travel required, Can get a child at birth, Moderate to low risk

Cons- Need to wait to be "picked" by a birthmom, risk that she can change her mind



Fos-Adopt ($ to -$)

Pro- Lowest to no cost, child usually has health care benefits, get monthly reimbursement for costs of raising the child, usually faster than the other routes, continued support from social worker

Cons- Increased Risk with some children, Most kids have some sort of special need, Little to no history on the child,
This site actually has some links:

http://abortionstop.com/What options are there on adoption, surrogate mother, etc and how do i get started?
The best way to start in my opinion is to contact an agency in your area, and find out when their next adoption information seminar is, and attend it. You have a world of information to learn! Start reading books on adoption now. Talk to people, join a support group. You are going to have to be prepared for an emotional rollercoaster ride, so get ready! It is however, one of the best rewards of this life! To Parent!
for more detailed information, you should go to this website:



http://www.adoption101.com/adoption_information_home.html



it is a VERY informative and detailed website on the processes of adoption and just about everything you want to know about it! I work at an adoption agency and recommend this site to all our prospective adoptive parents.
Typically international, infant and surrogate adoptions cost a lot of money. Adopting through an agency is less costly but there's usually a long waiting list for infants. If you are open to older children you would need to become a licensed foster parent (same process for adoption) During this process you will explore what type of child will be a good fit for your home. Many of these children come with a lot of problems. The likely hood of getting a younger child increases if you are willing to accept a child of a different race. Foster parents get preference when it comes to adoption but then you have to deal with the risk of having a child in your home for years only to be sent back to a home you might not find agreeable. Check with your local child welfare agency they can help answer questions about your states process.
One of the ways I know is to become a foster parent. With that of course the main goal is reunification of the child with the parents, but if the parents fail to reunify then, at least in California, the foster parents have the first option to adopt. You can state what age range of children you are willing to foster. Also check with your state adoption agency. It doesn't always cost a lot of money to adopt. And, in my state, you receive adoption assistance money every month. Good luck.
I have thought about being a surrogate. I saw there was a database by doing a google search once but I can't find it now. They try to find people close to your home so you can be a part of the process.



As far as adoption, at least here in Texas you can go to the department of family services website and browse kids who need homes and then submit a request form for kids who you might be interested in adopting. I don't think all the kids are listed though.



I have also seen ads in the papers where people are wanting to adopt with numbers people can call and speak to perspective parents or their attorneys.



There is several ways to get your message out there on wanting to adopt and so on.



I know you will need an adoption lawyer and they can be pricey. You will also have to do psychological evaluations for adoption and so on. You have to have the room ready and show your finances on how you are able to support a child.



My husband did a step parent adoption (so we have a little experience there) with my first son, and we had to go through a lot to get my husband to be able to have kids and we just had a beautiful baby. SO I know how you feel about wanting one and how badly you feel that is why we have talked about donating my eggs, surrogate, etc to help other people who can't have a baby but would be great parents!
Have you thought about foster care? A lot of those children will be up for adoption.
It wouldn't be any different, a surrogate mother costs 10,000-30,000 dollar, adoption also cost that much. Which included medical, legal and suffering.