Interstate Laws for Adopting

The requirements of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children must be met every time a child is moved from one state to another for the purposes of adoption.

The Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) is law in all 50 states and U.S. territories.  The ICPC applies in all domestic U.S. child adoptions, both private and agency.

The ICPC requires that before a child born in one state can be taken to another state for the purpose of adoption both the sending state (the state where the child was born) and the receiving state (the state where the child is going), must give approval.  Every state has a special office to deal with the ICPC. 

Your domestic child adoption agency or adoption attorney will complete the necessary forms and submit them to both states ICPC offices.  Typically, it may take from a few days to a few weeks to get approval.  During this waiting period, you (the adopting family) can travel where ever you want but the baby must remain in the state of his/her birth.  Typically, the adopting family will stay with the baby in a motel or with friends or family.

This is an important law that every adopting family needs to be aware of and to follow to the letter.  Note that in order to get ICPC approval you will have to have an approved Home Study.  For a comprehensive site on all adoption related laws visit Adoption Laws.