[horseblevins]

Hello. My husband and I have been TTC for 2 years on October 19th 2006. I want to adopt, but am afraid I'll be disqualified because of my religion(I'm Muslim), most agencies in the USA I've looked at only deal with Christians(No offense to the Christians here), and I was hospitalized twice in 2 seperate mental health facilities and diagnosed with mental illnesses at 14, and at 15 years old(I'm no longer mentally ill, nor am I taking pills for any mental illness). Does anyone have any advice for me? I'd appreciate it very much. What I'm asking is because of my childhood mental illnesses, and past hospilitzations at 14 years old and 15 years old, will that disqualify me from adopting and/or fostering children?

[mgmsrk]

You won’t be disqualified for being a Muslim. You’re correct that many private adoption agencies in the US cater to Christian families, but definitely not all of them. You should contact our local Child Welfare office to get some information on their foster and adoption programs.

As to your previous health issues I think the best thing to do is to be upfront and honest with the social worker/s doing you home study. An Illness will not automatically disqualify you from adoption, unless it is found you may pose a danger to children, that would be the same for anyone.

I see 2 things that may hinder your adoption goals at this time. First is your age, many agencies and CW organizations have restrictions on how young and old you can be to adopt. Many will not consider an application until both parties is over 24 or 25. If you find that to be the case you have plenty of time to do research during the wait. The second, if I am reading your signature correctly is that you are the 2nd wife. If you and your DH are involved in a polygamist relationship that will be a hindrance to any home study in the US. Since polygamy is illegal the courts don’t acknowledge such marriages.

[horseblevins]

Originally Posted by mgmsrk

You won’t be disqualified for being a Muslim. You’re correct that many private adoption agencies in the US cater to Christian families, but definitely not all of them. You should contact our local Child Welfare office to get some information on their foster and adoption programs.

As to your previous health issues I think the best thing to do is to be upfront and honest with the social worker/s doing you home study. An Illness will not automatically disqualify you from adoption, unless it is found you may pose a danger to children, that would be the same for anyone.

I see 2 things that may hinder your adoption goals at this time. First is your age, many agencies and CW organizations have restrictions on how young and old you can be to adopt. Many will not consider an application until both parties is over 24 or 25. If you find that to be the case you have plenty of time to do research during the wait. The second, if I am reading your signature correctly is that you are the 2nd wife. If you and your DH are involved in a polygamist relationship that will be a hindrance to any home study in the US. Since polygamy is illegal the courts don’t acknowledge such marriages.

My husband has no legal papers from the courts of his home country(Saudi Arabia) or his wife's country(morcco) so legally he is not married to(islamically they are married). So I'm his legal wife.