Adoption laws vary from province to province. It is usually possible to adopt from another province. Licensees are attorneys specializing in domestic adoption in Canada. Either a licensee or an agency will guide you through the adoption process. In private adoption, the waiting period for a child is shorter and both the birth and adoptive parents have more control than in public adoption. This is because in public adoption, an agency or licensee finds a child for you, but in private adoption, you have the freedom to choose. (This is only allowed in some provinces though). It is optional for you to meet the birthparents. The advantages of private adoption is that the health of your child is generally better than that of the children in public adoption. The cost may also be cheaper. The disadvantage of private adoption is that there aren't many children available for domestic Canadian adoption. Public adoption is organized by an agency. The time frame is uncertain in public adoption. The advantage is that the cost is almost nothing. Since children are available from the state, it is less likely the birthmother will change her mind (decide to claim back her child, even though in private adoption, birthmothers receive counselling on this and other adoption issues). Public adoption is better for adoptive parents who are interested in adopting harder-to-place children, such as abused, neglected, special needs, and older children. The wait for a healthy newborn is longer than waits for special needs and older children in public adoption is because many birthmothers do not put their children in public agencies.

Many Canadians adopt from the US. In 2002, 53 American children were adopted into the US. The US was the 7th most popular adoptive country for Canada. The requirements and process depends on the state the child lives in. Canadians are able to adopt through a facilitator (adoption lawyer), agency, or they can do it alone. Canadians can advertise that they would like to adopt. Licensees will help in this process. The process is costly, birthmothers may change their mind, even though they receive counselling on this issue and others.