Answering Your Questions
Does adoption feel overwhelming or out of reach? We’re here to show you that it’s possible—and we’ll support you every step of the way.
About An Open Door Adoption Agency
At An Open Door, our mission is to connect children with loving Christian families. We’re here to make the path clear, guiding you to the child meant for your family. You’ll receive detailed guidance, personal care, and a sense of urgency from our team—every step of the way. We’ll help with paperwork, provide training, and connect you with financial and parenting resources to set you up for success.
Since 1987, we’ve helped 2,719 children find their forever families.
Adoption Wait Times and Process
Our waiting list is shorter than most agencies, so families are typically matched sooner. For domestic adoptions, the wait is usually 12 to 18 months—much faster than the 2–5 years you might see elsewhere. International wait times vary by country and by the age of child you hope to adopt.
We know that parenting an adopted child brings unique joys and challenges.
- For domestic adoptions: You’ll attend a special orientation and Q&A, plus receive individual training tailored to your family’s needs.
- For international adoptions: You’ll complete at least 10 hours of training, including online resources. You’ll learn about trauma and brain development, parenting techniques for older children, how to talk about adoption, and ways to support your child’s adjustment and growth.
First, see if we’re the right fit for your family! Give us a call for a free consultation. We encourage you to talk with one of our adoption consultants about your hopes and questions before applying.
A home study is an assessment by a qualified social worker of you, your family, and your home. It’s required for both domestic and international adoptions. The process includes paperwork, home visits, and interviews—to make sure adoption is in the best interest of everyone involved.
Adoption Cost
Costs vary by program and country. Our consultants are happy to walk you through the fees, what they cover, and the timing of each step.
Adoption costs cover many important steps—support for birth mothers, family training, home studies, preparing paperwork, translation, matching you with a child, and travel for international adoptions. Every adoption is unique, and so are its rewards and challenges.
An Open Door Domestic Adoptions
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.
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 800-868-6339.
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.
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.
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.