Public and private adoption agencies consider a number of factors when determining whether a couple or individual is fit to be an adoptive parent. One of the factors is the health of prospective adoptive parents. Health is relevant because agencies want to provide permancy for a young person and to be sure that a health condition does not interfere with the adoptive parent's ability to parent.

Thanks to the federal Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), decisions in the U.S. about whether to permit adoption by a person with a health history must be made on an individualized basis based on actual risks and the use of reasonable judgment. If a person is rejected because of health reasons, the ADA requires that the rejection must be justifiable.

There are eight steps to take to maximize your chances of an adoption going through. To learn more about each, see Eight Steps To Take Before Starting The Adoption Process.

Step 1. Review your financial situation.
Step 2. Ask your doctors for their opinion about your physical and pspychological ability to meet the needs of a child from infancy to adulthood. 
Step 3. Get a letter documenting your health history and prognosis.
Step 4. Get support.
Step 5. Consider whether you would agree to therapy if requested as part of the process.
Step 6. Make sure your home is child friendly.
Step 7. Discuss parenting issues with your partner/spouse.
Step 8. Meet with an adoption agency or a lawyer who specializes in adoption to discuss your unique circumstances and the options available to you.

If you do not qualify for a local adoption, consider an international adoption. You can find information about the laws of various countries on line. Adoption specialists will also know about local and international requirements.

If you adopt, you may be eligible to claim a federal adoption tax credit (against U.S. federal income taxes). The amount of the credit varies from year to year. 

KEEP IN MIND:

• You must be honest and open with an adoption agency. That does not mean you are required to volunteer any information. In fact, you are not required to volunteer any information unless it could be harmful to the child. We recommend erring on the side of disclosing any information which could possibly be harmful to the child. Let the professionals decide whether it could be harmful.
• Adoptions take time, no matter how fast the prospective adoptive parents want things to happen. They can also involve a great deal of stress.

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