How to research an adoption professional

COVER THE BASICS:

Carefully read the articles on selecting an adoption agency and an adoption attorney in this Adoption Guide.
Once you have selected a list of adoption agencies or adoption attorneys for consideration, read details about each one's philosophy and programs in the online adoption professional database on theadoptionguide.com.
Search our adoption agency directory to find an agency you're interested in. Then, use the link at the top of the webpage to request information from that agency.
Read the adoption agency or attorney written materials (whether online or in print) carefully.
Call each agency or professional to ask the "Questions to Ask an Adoption Attorney" and "Questions to Ask an Adoption Agency."

TALK TO PARENTS WHO ADOPTED THROUGH THE ATTORNEY/AGENCY YOU ARE CONSIDERING:

Ask the attorney/agency to give you names of client families who adopted recently, as well as families who adopted a year or more previously.
Consult an online site where parents post comments about their adoption experience, such as adoptingfromrussia.com or adoptachild.org.
Join a listserv of other families who have adopted from the country you have chosen (find one at theadoptionguide.com/tools/support-group-search). Post a request there for feedback about the agency or professional you are considering.
Join a local parent support group (find one in our searchable database), and ask other parents about their experiences.

RESEARCH WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS:

Check with your state adoption unit (find it on http://naic.acf.hhs.gov) to see whether there have been complaints in your state.
Check the licensing status of an agent or attorney with your state licensing unit or the local bar association.
Check the financials of any non-profit adoption agency on guidestar.org.
Check with the Better Business Bureau: bbb.org.
Find out if the agency is a member of the Joint Council of International Children's Services: jcics.org.
Find out whether the agency is accredited by the Council on Accreditation: coanet.org. (Do not be overly concerned if it is not. COA accreditation is still fairly rare.)