J-Lo latest star to join queue to adopt

Actress Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony are planning to adopt a baby from Puerto Rico.

The couple, who married in June 2004, are always gushing about how much they want to start a family, but they haven't had much luck so far.

There have been lots of reports that J.Lo has suffered a miscarriage in the past few months, and some newspapers suggested she was receiving IVF treatment to help her conceive.

Jennifer, however, has denied both of these claims.

Puerto Rico is the destination of choice for the loved-up pair as Jennifer, 37, feels that she won't come under as much criticism as Madonna because the baby will have the same cultural heritage as her and Marc, 38.

A source said: "Jen and Marc are dying to have kids but it just doesn't seem to be working for them.

"Jen realises she's not getting any younger, so they've jointly decided that adoption may be the answer to their prayers. They've had some very serious conversations about it and have decided the best place to look is Puerto Rico as Jen and Marc's parents were both born there."

The couple have started the process by researching orphanages in the area.

They realise it will take a while but that doesn't bother them as they want the fuss surrounding Madonna's adoption of baby David from Malawi to die down first.

The source added: "Apparently there's a lot involved, even if you're J.Lo. She wants to check out orphanages to make sure the one she choses is reputable and that it does something for the community.

"She doesn't want to get burned like Madonna did so she wants to really understand the adoption laws of the country so nobody can contest it afterwards.

"Jen and Marc hope that by the time the adoption goes through all of the intense negative coverage of Madonna's adoption will have died.

"They see their actions as different because they want to adopt a baby with the same cultural heritage as theirs."

In January last year J.Lo spoke openly about her desire for kids, saying: "I want a baby as soon as I possibly can. I'd be so excited to find out I'm pregnant. I just know it's the right time.

"Things are incredibly good. A baby would be just so perfect but we will just have to wait and see. Everyone must keep your fingers crossed for me."