The Adoption Agency Research Group - Domestic was formed to help prospective adoptive parents (PAPs) in their research and selection of a domestic adoption agency. If you have already completed an adoption, please share your experience with us!

Over the past decade, adoption has grown to a billion dollar industry, yet few safeguards exist for the adopting public. State agencies provide erratic oversight and, frequently, state statutes promulgated through DCFS heavily favor the adoption industry.

The prospect of easy profits has proven too much for some adoption providers (and even some "birth parents"), costing some PAPs heartache and tens of thousands of dollars. Other parents have experienced unethical adoption practices, including misinformation and unexpected charges.

While selection of an adoption agency is highly personal -- one agency's program requirements or level of service may suit you better than another's -- every agency should respond to your enquiries in a timely manner, provide a transparent process, follow ethical business practices, abide by all laws, take responsibility for everyone involved in your adoption, offer a clear and easy process for resolving disputes, and provide a complete itemization with receipts for all monies involved.

Agencies that place more children have the potential for more complaints. HOW an agency handles problems is more important than whether an agency has had complaints. The best way to reduce your risk is to do your homework. Remember, you're about to give someone you really don't know a lot of money!

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