If you have begun thinking about adopting a child, you will be glad to know that Indiana has very few restrictions on who can adopt or be adopted. But while the law is lenient, the adoption process can entail a good deal of time.
In terms of adoption requirements, FindLaw advises that any adult, single or married, can adopt in Indiana if (s)he is an adult. If married, your spouse will need to join in the adoption. (S)he will also need to consent to your adoption if (s)he is one of the biological parents of the child you wish to adopt.
Age of child
If you have your heart set on adopting an infant or very young child, you probably should choose to work through a private adoption agency. Most adoptable children available through the Indiana Adoption Program have already reached the age of eight and can be as old as 16. By the way, any child over the age of 14 that you wish to adopt will have to consent to his or her own adoption
Pre-adoption procedures
Whether you work with the state or a private adoption agency, you will need to successfully “pass” a criminal background check. Adopting through the state also requires 16 hours of training plus going through a fairly lengthy home study process.
Adoption costs
You can expect your adoption costs to run somewhere between $1,500 and $6,000 depending on which agency you choose to go through. As you might expect, you will pay more for a private adoption than you will pay for a state adoption. International adoptions cost the most, often as high as $50,000.
