Trends in U.S. Adoptions: 2008–2012

There is no single source for the total number of children adopted in the United States, and there is currently no straightforward way of determining 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 State for 2008–2012 and uses these numbers to estimate the composition and trends of all adoptions in the United States. Data for this report were collected primarily from the following sources: State courts, State departments of social services, 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.

Table of Contents

Highlights

Introduction

Findings

Data sources

Data notes and limitations

Discussion and implications

Conclusion

References

Appendix A: Data sources

Appendix B: Glossary of adoption types

Appendix C: Total adoptions for selected years, 2001–2012

Appendix D: Public adoptions for selected years, 2001–2012

Appendix E: Intercountry adoptions for selected years, 2001–2012

Appendix F: Other adoptions for selected years, 2001–2012

We also recommend the following Information Gateway publications:

• Adoption Disruption and Dissolution
  (Numbers and Trends)
• Intercountry Adoption From Hague Convention and Non-Hague Convention Countries
  (Factsheets for Families)