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For Families Considering Adoption |
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Domestic Adoption Catholic Charities Adoption Services is a full-service adoption agency licensed by the Louisiana Department of Social Services. The agency places children with applicants of all faiths. Applicants should be between 27 and 45 years of age and must be married for at least three years. For minority and special needs children, the length of time married and the age requirements are considered on a case-by-case basis. The family income should be adequate to provide of the needs of a child. Medical examinations, criminal records check and child abuse clearance are required for all applicants.
For Caucasian infants, the adoption list is opened once or twice a year and questionnaires are mailed to those interested. For biracial and minority infants, questionnaires are mailed upon request. When the applicant returns the completed questionnaire, they are invited for an office interview. Once the applicant is offered a formal application, they must attend an orientation meeting and have a home study completed by the Adoption Program Director. The home study includes additional office interviews, a home visit, reference letters, financial background, criminal clearance and medical forms.
The timeframe for placement of an infant depends on many factors including, but not limited to, desired race of child, desired sex of child and desired degree of openness. The average wait for a Caucasian child ranges between nine to18 months while the average wait for a biracial or minority infant is six to 12 months.
International Adoption To adopt internationally, you must first select an international adoption agency. Catholic Charities’ Adoption Services will work with the agency of your choice to provide the local services in support of your adoption. An application and home study packet is mailed to begin the home study process. The Adoption Program Director completes the home study, including several interviews and a home visit. The home study fee is $2,000 which includes the post placement visits. This fee is payable at the conclusion of the home study.
Adoption Tax Credit You may be eligible to take a tax credit of up to $10,000 for qualifying adoption expenses. The adoption credit would be subtracted from your tax liability. Qualifying adoption expense are “reasonable and necessary adoption fees, court costs, attorney fees, traveling expenses and other expenses directly related to, and whose principal purpose is for, the legal adoption of an eligible child.”
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Adoption Services 3019 N. Arnoult Road Metairie, LA 70002
Phone: 504.885.1141 Toll-Free: 1.866.566.1399 Fax: 504.885.1519
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