According to the Pew Research Center, approximately 15% of Americans who don’t have children said it was due to infertility or other medical reasons. We might desperately wish to expand our families, but unfortunately, life may have other plans.

Some people may just give up. But others may push on, looking for other ways to complete their families.

One way to do so is to adopt. But this process takes time, and you might be impatient. After all, you’ve spent too long without kids, and you want it to happen ASAP.

So how long does the adoption process take in Florida, and what else should you know about it? Read on to find out more.

How Long Does the Adoption Process Take in Florida?

On average, the adoption process in Florida can take from a few months to several years. The length will depend on the type of adoption and individual circumstances, which can affect the adoption process steps.

Let’s go over the different scenarios.

Foster Care Adoption

Post-placement, foster care adoption can take between 6 to 18 months. Here, Florida’s Department of Children and Families (DCF) oversees the adoptions. Usually, they involve children who are already in the foster system, and parental rights have been terminated or are close to being terminated.

Here are the main steps involved:

• Orientation and application
• Home study (2-4 months)
• Licensing/training (PRIDE program: 7-10 weeks)
• Matching with a child
• Placement and supervision (minimum 6 months)
• Finalization through court

Private Domestic Infant Adoption

A private domestic infant adoption can take much longer, anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. Usually, this involves adopting a newborn directly from the birth parents, although they don’t handle the process themselves. Instead, you’ll use a third party, such as an agency or attorney.

The key steps here are:

• Home study (2-4 months)
• Finding a match with a birth mother (may take several months)
• Placement of the child at birth
• Supervision period (90 days minimum in Florida)
• Court finalization

International Adoption

When looking at a domestic vs international adoption, the latter can take much longer; you can expect the timeline to span 1 to 4 years. Each country has its own requirements and timelines, but here are the general steps:

• Choose a Hague-accredited agency
• Complete international home study (similar to domestic)
• File immigration paperwork (I-600A or I-800A)
• Match and referral process (wait time varies by country)
• Readoption in Florida (optional, but recommended)

Key Factors That Affect the Adoption Timeline

As you can see, there are varying ballpark timelines for the different types of adoption listed above. In general, foster care adoption tends to be quicker since the children are already in the system. But if the child’s parental rights are still intact, the process may be delayed due to court proceedings or reunification efforts.

On the other hand, private and international adoptions often take longer since there are waitlists, legal complexities, and overseas regulations. Do note that once you find a private domestic match, the process moves relatively quickly, especially if the birth parents are cooperative.

Here are the other factors affecting adoption timelines.

Home Study Completion

A home study completion is a required step in all types of adoption in Florida. On average, it’ll take 2 to 4 months, depending on the responsiveness and agency workload.

In the home study, you’ll go through:

• Background checks (FBI, FDLE, child abuse registry)
• Interviews with all household members
• Home visits for safety inspections
• Financial disclosures
• Health screenings and personal references
• Other documentation

Delays in gathering documentation can stall progress, so make sure you have these prepared ahead of time.

Matching Process

The most unpredictable part of adoption can be waiting for a match; some families wait just a few months, while others wait over a year. And sometimes, the match can fall through, which means starting the whole process again.

The factors influencing matching time will also depend on the adoption type:

• Foster care: Matching is usually done on need and compatibility
• Private domestic: Birth mothers typically choose the adoptive parents
• International: Timeline varies significantly depending on the country’s referral process and eligibility criteria

Keep in mind that not only can birth parents revoke or reconsider placements, but foreign authorities can too. This may lead to further delays.

Legal Clearances and Termination of Parental Rights

Before an adoption can be finalized, the child must be legally free for adoption. This involves the termination of parental rights (TPR), which can occur voluntarily or involuntarily. If the TPR is contested, then it can lead to lengthy court battles.

In Florida specifically, there’s a revocation period. Birth mothers can revoke consent within 3 business days (or up to 30 days in certain private adoptions).

Adoptive Family Preferences

The less picky you are, the less time it may take to be matched. Here are some common preference factors:

• Child’s age
• Gender
• Race or ethnicity
• Medical history
• Willingness to adopt siblings or children with special needs

Agency or Attorney Efficiency

Obviously, not all adoption professionals are equally efficient or communicative. When weighing your options, consider the following:

• Experience
• Case management load
• Communication
• Accreditation

Court Scheduling

To finalize an adoption, you’ll need a court hearing in a Florida family court. Some counties may have busy dockets, and there may be judicial backlogs, both of which can delay your adoption.

In addition, if there are document errors or missing paperwork, then there may be court delays or even rescheduling.

Country-Specific (International Only)

Adoption can be an intricate matter in foreign countries, with legal, cultural, and bureaucratic hurdles. Delays can be caused by:

• Policy changes
• US immigration processing
• Travel requirements
• Translation or authentication of documents

Be Prepared for Flexibility

Now you know that there’s no simple answer to the question, “How long does the adoption process take?” Although the adoption process in Florida is structured, it’s highly variable.

At least you now have ballpark ranges, and you know the key factors that can impact the timeline. The most important thing is to have the right professionals on your side, as that will hugely affect how quickly you welcome your new family member to your home.

If you’re interested in adopting a child, then contact us now. Heart of Adoptions, Inc. has over 24 years of experience placing children in loving homes.