Frequently Asked Questions
About Readoption

We adopted a three year old and now she is five years old. We have been tried but she hasn’t bonded to us. Should we consider a readoption?

Deciding to find new parents for your child is something that you can do, but please be sure you have exhausted your resources first. The younger the child, often the more successful the outcome, so please move quickly. You can learn about the readoption process and view waiting adoptive parents on our partner site, Lifetime Adoption, but ensure that you are both on the same page about making a change.

How long does a readopt take? We have our son in our home but it’s not working out for us. How quickly can we find a new adoptive family for him?

The readoption process can move as quickly or as slowly as is best for the child. Begin by preparing the documents you need, such as birth certificate, social security card, immunization records, and school records. There are adoption forms for placing older children for adoption that you can complete now to get the process started. There is always a transition plan to ensure the child has a smooth transition.

Is your readopt program private?

Our program is private – there is no involvement by the county or state. You can privately reach out by phone or text to ask questions and learn more before committing to adoption for your child.

We are working to find adoptive parents for our child we have adopted. We have tried parenting him but it’s not a good situation for our other children. What are the steps we need to take to do a readoption for him?

We have a number of waiting adoptive parents that we can share with you. If you call or text us, we can even email you a list of profile links for families who are open to adopting your specific child.

Our adopted daughter was recently diagnosed with special needs. Do you have families interested in adopting her?

We work with families open to a wide variety of medical special needs, developmental delays, emotional needs, and more. With more information we can assist you in proceeding with our program or refer you to someone who may be of more assistance.

We are going getting a divorce and can’t keep the six year old girl we adopted a few years ago. How can you help us?

We can help you explore the option of a readoption to see if it is right for you. We have helped couples divorcing or facing serious medical diagnoses. The first step is to share more information about your child with us so we can give you more specific options.

What’s the oldest a child can be in your readoption program?

Depending on any special needs, the oldest we are able to help is usually no more than eight years old. But, we do have referrals for any child. Please reach out to us to learn more.

Can we have an open adoption set up in a readoption plan?
Yes, you may request to receive updates from the new adoptive parents. Depending on how the child is adjusting, the new parents may wish to limit two-way contact. If you are placing a child who is a relative of yours and you wish to stay in contact, we have helped with that too. Read Tom and Johanna’s story to learn more.
Do you know if it’s legal to do a readoption of a child in United States?

Yes, placing a child for adoption is legal, provided you are the legal parents currently of the child. It is important that you disclose everything you know about the child and their adoption to your coordinator.

How long will it take for you to find an adoptive family for my three-year-old adopted daughter? We can’t keep her in our home much longer.

We have waiting families for most any adoption situation we encounter. A readoption can happen as quickly as you are able to get all of the paperwork in and a family is identified. It is very important that you agree to a transition plan in the best interest of the child. Readoption is confusing for a child, and she will need time and space to adjust.

We are older and have custody and parenting our granddaughter since her mother has been incarcerated in prison. The father has not been involved in her life at all. I just can’t continue to parent at our age but we would like to continue to be in her life. Can you help us with an open adoption arrangement for us?

Absolutely! We have helped many grandparents make adoption plans that include an open adoption agreement. Usually, they wish to be involved like grandparents normally would – included for birthdays, holidays and more. This is actually best for the child, because they retain a strong connection to their previous primary caregivers.

Do you have any adoptive parents interested in four and five-year-old siblings ?

Yes, we have families open to adopting sibling groups. Your first step would be to complete the adoption questionnaire, one for each child. Once we have all the information, we can show you families who are open.

What are the next steps we need to take to start the readoption process?

The first step in looking into readoption or rehoming for your child or children is to complete the adoption questionnaire. It provides us with enough information to begin. You will also need to begin gathering documents like birth certificate, social security card, school records, and immunization card. Your coordinator will need copies of all of those. If you have questions or would like to speak with someone first, please call us anytime at 1-800-923-6784.

I feel guilty but I want to give my adopted child back. Can you help me with the process and the thoughts?
It is natural to feel guilt – often birth mothers do when they originally place a child for adoption. In re-adoption, there are many feelings you may feel – guilt, remorse, inadequacy, failure, and more. When thinking about completing the readoption process, you may anticipate feeling joy and relief, which can start the cycle of feeling guilty all over again. You need to step back and examine what is best for you and your child. You can call and speak with an adoption coordinator at any time.
Can an adopted child be returned?
Yes, they can be returned to the birth family if that is the birth family’s desire or placed for adoption with a new family, which is a readoption. Either way, the process is the same if the adoption has been finalized in court. An attorney will need to be involved and adoption papers drawn up, similar to the first time the adoption took place. We can help you navigate the process.
Last night, my husband said “I don’t want my adopted child anymore.” I don’t know what to think. We are raising our biological children together but what do I do?
There are times that spouses are not on the same page. First and foremost, the two of you need to sit down and look at the situation factually. Is the child you adopted causing difficulty in your home? In your marriage? Or are there other problems. If truly the child you adopted is the root cause, readoption may be in everyone’s best interest, especially the child’s. Call and speak to a coordinator today.
I’ve heard that readoption is necessary after an international adoption. What is that?
After an international adoption, the child is often re-adopted by the same family here in the U.S. Some states do not recognize foreign adoptions and so families are advised to adopt the same child again through an attorney, to ensure that the adoption is completely recognized and enforceable in the U.S. Typically, the problems that arise from not doing this have to do with estate and inheritance issues later in life. Speak with your international adoption agency for more information or learn about the process online.