How Long Does Adoption Take?

One of the first questions people ask me when I talk about adoption is, “How long does it take?” The honest answer is: it depends. Every adoption journey is unique, influenced by the type of adoption you pursue, your location, your preferences, and, sometimes, a bit of luck.

For our journey, from the moment we put ourselves out there to the day we held our baby in our arms, was 11 months. It felt like a whirlwind of emotions, preparation, and learning, but we wouldn’t change a single moment.

Step 1: Choosing the Right Type of Adoption

The first step is figuring out which type of adoption feels right for your family. Do you want to adopt domestically as an infant or pursue foster-to-adopt? Use an agency or pursue independent adoption? Each path has different requirements, timelines, and levels of involvement. For us, independent infant adoption felt like the best fit because it gave us the opportunity to connect directly with birth parents.

Step 2: Completing a Home Study

Once you’ve decided on your path, the next step is the home study. This involves a licensed social worker visiting your home, reviewing your finances, checking your background, and talking with you about your readiness to adopt.

Home studies can take 1 to 6+ months depending on your state and schedule. Ours took about 2 and a half months, which was felt relatively fast and helped us build momentum toward matching.

Step 3: The Waiting Game… With a Twist

For most hopeful adoptive parents, the majority of the time is spent waiting for a match. This period can feel long and uncertain, but it’s also a chance to prepare your heart and your home for the child who will soon join your family.

We took a slightly different approach. During the wait, we were proactive, using social media to share our story and connect with potential birth parents. By building our audience and showing who we were as a family, we were able to create opportunities we might not have had otherwise. That effort made a huge difference and gave us a sense of control and connection in a process that often feels out of your hands.

The Takeaway

So, how long does adoption take? It really depends. Timelines can vary from a few months to a few years. For us, it was 11 months from the day we started to the day we brought our baby home.

The key is to stay informed, be patient, and take proactive steps where you can. Whether it’s completing your home study, learning about adoption options, or sharing your story online, each step moves you closer to your goal. Our journey reminded us that while you can’t control everything in adoption, you can make the process feel more intentional, and even empowering.

If you’re just starting your adoption journey, it can feel overwhelming trying to figure out what to do first. That’s why I created the Independent Adoption Checklist, a step-by-step guide to help hopeful adoptive parents navigate each stage of the process with confidence. Download your checklist today to start planning your journey and take the first steps toward bringing your baby home.