Private (or independent) adoptions are done through adoption attorneys, and may or may not involve an adoption opportunity that is located and arranged by the attorney. If so, the "finding" function that the attorney performs will increase the cost. Click here for more information on private adoption costs.
In some states, private attorneys cannot be involved in the "finding" and "matching" phases of an adoption, but are limited to finalizing the legal part of the adoption in court once the match has taken place.
Private adoptions usually involve infants, but this is not always the case. If they involve non-infants or sibling groups, it will usually be before these children have been absorbed into the state foster care system, or before there is involvement by Child Protective Services.
See our Directory of Adoption Professionals to find an adoption attorney in your area.
Detailed options in Independent Adoption