Provides adoption statistics for all 50 states and the District of Columbia, including the total number of adoptions in 1987, 1988, and 1990, and the number of public agency adoptions as a percentage of total adoptions for 1990. Statistics on adoption are inexact because of the variety of data sources and their changing nature. (MDM)

Analyzes adoption information from courts, social service agencies, and bureaus of vital records for 1991 and 1992. Finds that adoptions by step-parents constitute nearly half of all adoptions, and that individually arranged adoptions are likely to be by relatives. Suggests that the information provided constitutes a baseline for measurement of…

An estimate of the total number of adoptions in the United States and the proportion of total adoptions conducted by public agencies in 1987 was drawn from adoption information from state social services agencies, bureaus of vital statistics, and state court administrative offices. (BB)