How Many Children Were Adopted in 2007 and 2008?

There is no single source for the total number of children adopted in the United States, and no straightforward way to determine the total number of adoptions, even when multiple data sources are used. This report gives best estimates of the numbers of children adopted in each of the States for 2007 and 2008 and uses these numbers to estimate the composition and trends of all adoptions in the United States. Data for this report were collected primarily by the following sources: State courts, State bureaus of vital records, the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs. 

Acknowledgment(s): Gene Flango, Ph.D., of the National Center for State Courts served as chief consultant for this paper. Penny Maza, Ph.D., provided comments and insight. The Office of Children's Issues of the Department of State and many States and counties also contributed to this effort. 

Suggested Citation: Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2011). How many children were adopted in 2007 and 2008? Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Children's Bureau.

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