Checklist For New Adoptive Parents

At different points during the adoption process, the logistics can feel overwhelming. It can seem like the only way to keep track of things is through lists, but it may feel like there is so much to juggle that you need to make lists of the lists you need to make! Adoptive Families lists 10 different types of lists that can be helpful in preparing:[1]

1. Adoption Process Checklist
2. Questions for When You Get a Referral
3. Who to Call When You Have News/Need to Jump Into Action
4. Potential Names
5. Things You Want to Do to Prepare Yourself (books you want to read, etc.)
6. What to Do to Prepare Your Home (paint the baby room, finally empty that extra closet)
7. Logistics
8. List for an Adoption Announcement
9. Photos and Mementos (that you want to bring with you or bring home with you if you’re traveling)
10. Things to Pack (if you’re traveling to pick up your child)

Given the universe of all that needs to be tracked, it is impossible to create a comprehensive list of everything that applies to all types of adoptions. Here, we strive to ensure that we document the crucial steps that may sometimes get overlooked in the rush of adoption.

Medical

• Add your child to your health insurance.
• Find a pediatrician.
• If your child has known special needs, find the necessary specialists.
• Transfer any of your child’s existing medical and immunization records to their new doctor(s).
• Find out if there are adoption-competent therapists in your area. You don’t want to wait until a crisis arises to seek professionals who can help.[2]
• If you are traveling out of the country for an adoption, make sure you and any one traveling with you is up to date on necessary vaccinations.[3]

School/Care

• If your child has known special needs, see if you can schedule assessments with the early intervention program in your area (ages 0-2) or the school system (ages 3 and up). If they will not let you schedule an assessment before your child is home, at least you have the number ready to call![4]
• Register your child for child care or school.
• Transfer any of your child’s existing school records to their new school.
• Begin to line up babysitters.

Financial/Legal

• Apply for a Social Security Number for your child. According to the Social Security Administration, “We can assign your adopted child an SSN before the adoption is complete, but you may want to wait until the adoption is finalized. Then, you can apply for the number using your child’s new name, with your name as parent.”[5]
• If you want to claim your child for tax purposes before the adoption is finalized, you can apply for an adoption taxpayer identification number (ATIN). An ATIN, issued by the IRS, is a temporary number that adoptive parents can use on their federal income tax return while an adoption is pending.[6]
• Consider financial preparations. Depending on the child’s age, should you set up a 529 plan to save for college?[7]
• Depending on the type of adoption, do you need to consult with or retain a lawyer?
• If appropriate, create a Post Adoption Contact Agreement.[8]
• If you are traveling for the adoption, think about how much cash you might need to have on hand.
• Learn how to apply for the Adoption Tax Credit.[9],[10]
• Update your will, life insurance, and guardianship plans.
• For children adopted internationally, take any necessary steps to ensure their United States citizenship is finalized.[11],[12]

Adoption Paperwork/Logistics

• Schedule any necessary post-placement home visits.
• Make sure all your paperwork is in order.

Around the House/Supplies

• Baby-proof if necessary.
• Do you have a pet? If they haven’t been around children before, consider finding relatives or neighbors for them to spend time with.
• Start to get clothes, toys, etc. Your neighborhood might have a listserv or WhatsApp group where these things are shared and swapped, so you don’t have to buy everything new.
• Think about the key items you need to purchase, such as clothes, school supplies, furniture, etc. This article from Parents.com shares shopping lists tailored to different age groups and offers tips for saving money while shopping.[13]
• Create a registry for folks who can’t wait to buy a gift for your new child.
• If you’ll be traveling to meet your child, pack the necessities you’ll need and have them ready to go.
• Start working on your child’s lifebook or baby book. You don’t need to be artistic or creative to make a lifebook; simply collect as much information as you can as you go through your adoption journey so that your child has as few missing pieces as possible.[14]

Support

• See if there are any adoption parent groups or support groups in your area. As issues arise, it can be beneficial to discuss them with other parents who have experienced a similar situation.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If your friend group, church, synagogue, or hiking club offers to create a meal train for you, take them up on it!