About An Open Door Adoption Agency

WHAT DOES AN OPEN DOOR OFFER ME IN THE ADOPTION PROCESS?
An Open Door focuses on finding loving Christian families for our children. We are here to make the way clear for you — to help you find the child the Lord has prepared for you. We will help you through the process with an attention to detail, personal care and “>a sense of urgency. Our staff works throughout your adoption to attend to your needs. We guide you through every step of the process, provide training to help prepare you for your child, and also have an array of resources to help you both financially and as a parent.

HOW MANY CHILDREN HAVE YOU HELPED?
Since 1987, we have helped over 2,100 children find their forever families.

WHAT ARE YOUR RATINGS?
We have the highest accreditation ratings in the state, and are in excellent standing with the Hague Convention for Intercountry Adoption.

Adoption Wait times and process

WHAT IS THE WAIT TIME FOR PLACEMENT?
We work with a shorter waiting list of adoptive parents than most agencies. This means that we are able to match our couples to children in the shortest possible time. The wait time for domestic placement is usually 6 to 12 months, significantly lower than many other agencies which can take 2 to 5 years. International waiting times vary widely by country and the age of child desired.

HOW WILL AN OPEN DOOR PREPARE US FOR ADOPTIVE PARENTHOOD?
While the love is often the same as for our biological children, parenting an adopted child comes with its own joys and challenges. For domestic adoptions, An Open Door provides a full day-long adoptive couple preparation conference. For international adoptions, the law requires 10 hours of couple training, and we provide resources for this as well — online or in a group setting. During training, you will learn how to help your child cope with his or her new home, how to talk to them about adoption, how to anticipate their emotional, developmental and other needs, and what resources are available to you in the future.

HOW DO I START THE ADOPTION PROCESS?
The first step is to determine if our Agency is right for you! Call us at 1-800-868-6339 for a free consultation. If you decide to apply, a consultant will contact you as soon as your application can be approved.

WHAT IS A HOME STUDY?
A home study is a review of you, your family and your home environment by a qualified social worker. Completing a home study is necessary for both domestic and international adoptions. It involves a home visit, paperwork and assessments that are required by state and international laws. The intent is to ensure that adoption is in the best interest of both you and the child.

Adoption Cost

HOW MUCH DOES ADOPTION COST?
Every domestic and international program is different. Our consultants can provide you information about the amount and timing of adoption service fees.

WHAT DETERMINES THE COST OF ADOPTION?
There are many steps necessary to ensure that the child’s safety is foremost, and that the rights of child, birth parents and families are respected. Adoption costs include financial and social help for birth mothers, training for families, home studies, dossier preparation, translation, matching with a child, travel preparation, travel and finalization. Every adoption is different and has its own unique rewards and challenges.

An Open Door Domestic Adoptions

DO WE CHOOSE THE CHILD WE ADOPT?
Usually, a birth mother or birth parents choose the adoptive family for their child. Sometimes, they ask the Agency to choose the family for them, and we choose a family we feel is best for the child’s needs. Also, adoptive couples complete a Comfort Level worksheet in which they select “yes,” “no” or “will discuss” in different situations regarding their comfort level within their adoption. When choosing a family, birth parents will review your Life Book or an online profile. A telephone conference usually follows with the birthparents and often a face-to-face meeting.

I AM SINGLE. CAN I ADOPT?
For domestic adoptions, both our birthmothers and An Open Door seek married couples. If you are single and feel led to adopt, this may be an option through our International Program. Call 1-800-868-6339.

WILL WE HAVE ONGOING CONTACT WITH THE BIRTH PARENTS?
An Open Door matches birth parents and families who desire the same degree of openness or confidentiality. There are many kinds of adoption — in some cases, there is no contact between birth parents and families by the birthmother’s choice. However, most adoptions are semi-open or open. In a semi-open adoption, the birth parents receive monthly updates (photos, cards) for the first six months. They then receive annual updates every year until the child is 18. The Agency handles communication confidentially between the two parties. See our guide to Communication. On those occasions when a birth mother wants an open adoption, the agency will offer her families receptive to open adoption

WHEN IS THE ADOPTION FINALIZED?
In Georgia, a birth parent has 4 days to change their mind after surrendering their child for adoption. These 4 days are known as the Revocation Period. If the Agency feels that there is a risk of revocation, we may recommend placing the child temporarily with one of our Caring Homes until the 4 days pass. After that, two or more visits in the home of the adoptive parents, and reports, must be completed by a social worker recommending that the adoption proceed. Birth father rights may also have to be terminated. Then the adoptive parents may appear before a judge to verify and finalize the adoption. This takes place in the adoptive couple’s county of residence.

HOW MANY BIRTH PARENTS REVOKE?
In recent years, an average of 25% of our adoptive couples have experienced a revocation. We will help you understand any known risk associated with a particular birth mother before you accept a match.

CAN MY CHILD FIND HIS OR HER BIRTH PARENTS OR CAN THEY FIND HIM OR HER?
An Open Door handles all communication confidentially between birth parents and families, and your privacy is protected to the best of our ability. When a child turns 18, he or she may seek his or her birth parents on the Georgia Reunion Registry. If the birth parents have registered, then the child can find their birth parents in this way. Earlier reunion is possible only with the mutual consent of the adoptive parents, birth parents and child.

HOW WILL YOU HELP US ADJUST TO CHANGES AFTER THE ADOPTION?
We provide many Post-Adoption Resources to help you in your new life.

An Open Door International Adoptions

DO WE CHOOSE THE CHILD WE ADOPT?
Yes! There are many ways to find your child. You may have seen a child on a waiting list that you feel is yours. Or, you may have hosted an older international child in your home and would now like to adopt them. In certain countries like China or Ukraine, a simple referral may be offered, but the family may decline that referral and select another child. Virtually, all families have found acceptable children. If you are interested in adoption, call us or log-in to our secure list of Waiting Children.

I AM SINGLE. CAN I ADOPT?
Currently, you can adopt through Bulgaria, Latvia, China or Peru if you are a single woman.

HOW OFTEN WILL WE TRAVEL TO THE CHILD’S COUNTRY?
This depends upon the country. Options range from one to three trips. Call 1-800-868-6339 to speak with an Adoption Consultant.

HOW DOES AN OPEN DOOR PREPARE US?
An Open Door provides training for adoptive parents, both in the adoption process and in parenting skills so that when you travel to adopt, you will be fully prepared with what to expect. You will also know what to look for in recognizing the physical, emotional and developmental health of any child, and you will have training and resources for dealing with issues your child may face.

HOW WILL YOU HELP US ADJUST TO CHANGES AFTER THE ADOPTION?
We offer many wonderful Post-Adoption Resources to our domestic and international families, and work with you to identify counseling and support resources in your own areas. You may also find that connecting with other international adoptive families is helpful.