Types of Adoption in Arkansas

Deciding to adopt is an exciting choice. However, once you start researching, you may realize that adoption is not a single path—it is a broad term that covers several very different ways of building a family.

Understanding the types of adoption in Arkansas is the first step toward finding the right fit for your goals, your resources, and your heart. Whether you dream of bringing a newborn home from the hospital or welcoming an older child into your life, understanding your options will help you move forward with confidence.

Get free adoption information today to speak with an adoption specialist and start the process.

What Are the Main Types of Adoption in Arkansas?

While there are many unique situations, the three most common ways to adopt in Arkansas are domestic infant adoption, foster care adoption, and international adoption. Each path has its own legal requirements, costs, and timelines.

Domestic Infant Adoption in Arkansas

Domestic infant adoption is the private adoption of a newborn from within the United States. This path is often chosen by families who dream of parenting a child from birth.

In this process, an expectant mother voluntarily creates an adoption plan. She chooses the adoptive family she feels is best for her baby and decides how much contact she wants to have after placement. Because the birth parent chooses the family, match times can vary, but working with a national agency can significantly reduce your wait.

At American Adoptions, our families experience an average wait time of 12 months. This path offers the most predictability for families who want to adopt an infant and experience the firsts of parenting. You can learn more about how this works in our step-by-step domestic adoption guide.

Foster Care Adoption in Arkansas

Foster care adoption involves adopting a child who is currently in the custody of the state. These children have been removed from their homes due to safety concerns.

The primary goal of the Arkansas foster care system is reunification with the biological family. Adoption only becomes an option if a judge determines that reunification is not possible. Because of this, most children eligible for adoption from foster care are older, part of a sibling group, or have special needs. While this path is less expensive, it carries a higher risk of emotional uncertainty and is rarely a viable route for adopting a newborn.

International Adoption for Arkansas Families

International adoption involves adopting a child from another country. This process is governed by the laws of the child’s home country, U.S. federal laws, and the Hague Convention.

Families choosing this path must be prepared for:

• International travel.
• Complex immigration paperwork to secure U.S. citizenship for the child.
• Potentially limited medical background information.

In recent years, international adoption has become more restrictive and expensive, leading many Arkansas families to pivot toward domestic adoption for greater stability.

Other Types of Adoption You Should Know

Beyond the main three pathways, there are other types of adoption in Arkansas that serve specific family needs.

• Stepparent Adoption: This allows a stepparent to become the legal parent of their spouse’s child. Under Arkansas Code 9-9-215, this creates a legal relationship as if the child were a biological descendant, securing rights such as inheritance and insurance coverage.
• Adult Adoption: This allows you to adopt a person who is over the age of 18. According to Arkansas Code 9-9-203, "any individual may be adopted," regardless of age. This is often done to formalize a long-standing parent-child relationship for emotional reasons or inheritance purposes.
• Embryo Adoption: This is a newer form of family building where families adopt donated embryos remaining from another couple's IVF treatments. While legally treated more like a transfer of property than a traditional adoption in many states, it allows families to experience pregnancy and childbirth.

Open vs. Closed Adoption: What’s the Difference?

One of the biggest shifts in modern adoption is the move toward openness.

• Closed Adoption: In a closed adoption, the adoptive family and birth parents have no contact and share no identifying information. This was the standard decades ago but is rare today because it leaves children with unanswered questions about their history.
• Open Adoption: In an open adoption, the adoptive family and birth parents maintain some level of contact. This can range from sharing photos and letters to phone calls and in-person visits.

Most reputable adoption agencies now require or strongly encourage open adoption because research shows it is best for the child. It helps them understand their identity and allows them to know they are loved by both families. Openness does not mean co-parenting. You are the sole legal parents. Open adoption is simply a relationship that honors your child's story.

What Is Transracial Adoption and What Should Families Know?

Transracial adoption refers to adopting a child of a different race or ethnic background than your own. For many families, this is a beautiful way to build a family, but it requires intentionality. Love is essential, but it is not enough on its own. Families must be committed to:

• Educating themselves about their child’s heritage (cultural competency).
• Ensuring the child sees people who look like them in their community, school, and media (representation).
• Helping the child navigate questions about race and identity as they grow (identity support).

How to Choose the Right Type of Adoption in Arkansas

Deciding between these different types of adoption can be difficult. To find the right path for your family, consider using a decision-making framework based on your resources and goals. Ask yourself:

• What age of child do we hope to adopt? (Newborn = Domestic; Older = Foster Care)
• What is our budget? (Foster care is low cost; Private and International require higher investment)
• What is our risk tolerance? (Foster care carries reunification risk; Private adoption has financial risk unless you use an agency with protection)
• How long are we willing to wait? (Review our adoption wait times to see if they align with your timeline)

You can also review the 4 keys to a successful adoption to see which path aligns best with your readiness.

Work With a Licensed Adoption Agency in Arkansas

Regardless of the type of adoption you choose, working with a licensed adoption agency is the safest way to build your family. Attempting to navigate adoption without a licensed professional can expose you to fraud, legal errors, and financial loss.

American Adoptions of Arkansas offers distinct advantages that unlicensed facilitators cannot match:

• Financial Protection: We protect your investment through our Risk-Sharing Program. Unlike other professionals who may keep your money if an adoption disrupts, we provide financial protection by refunding your money so you can pursue a different path.
• Screening: We rigorously screen birth mothers and adoptive families to ensure safety and commitment.
• Home Study Services: As a licensed agency, we can complete your Arkansas home study, which is required for all types of adoption. You can review our home study checklist to get started.

You may wonder, why does American Adoptions cost more than some consultants? It is because we provide the full scope of legal, emotional, and financial safety that your family deserves.

Ready to Explore Adoption in Arkansas? We’re Here to Help.

Understanding the types of adoption is just the beginning. If you are ready to take the next step or simply have more questions about which path is right for you, we are here to guide you.

Get free adoption information today to connect with a helpful professional and start your process.

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