Trends in U.S. Adoptions: 2010–2019

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. The purpose of this report is to (a) provide estimates of the number of children adopted in each of the 50 States, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, for each year from 2010 to 2019; (b) provide data on the types of adoptions (public, intercountry, and other [e.g., stepparent, private agency]) in the United States; and (c) analyze adoption trends during that timeframe. Data for this report were primarily obtained through State courts, State departments of social services, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Department of State.