Interstate Adoption Is Carefully Regulated

If you reside in Broward or Palm Beach County, Florida and desire to adopt a special child who resides out-of-state, contact the Fort Lauderdale, Florida Law Office of Rebekah Brown-Wiseman, P.A. and meet an adoption attorney that will navigate the process of an interstate adoption for you. To ensure accountability and regulation to children traveling across state lines for purposes of adoption, an agreement was created by social service administrators to provide order to the movement of children between the jurisdiction of different states. This agreement is now known as the interstate compact on the placement of children (“ICPC”) and has been enacted into law by all 50 states and the District of Columbia. This agreement sets out procedures to be followed for interstate adoptions, provides specific protections, services, and requirements if a pre-adoptive placement occurs. Compliance with the interstate compact on the placement of children is required in all adoption cases where the pre-adoptive child crosses state lines with the exception of close relative adoption cases.

An Experienced Adoption Attorney Will Help You Navigate The Process

The state where the pre-adoptive child initially resided is considered the sending state. The state where the pre-adoptive parent(s) reside is considered the receiving state. Both states are ultimately responsible to ensure the best interests of the child. The ICPC requires home studies and an evaluation of the proposed pre-adoptive placement. Once the child is placed with the pre-adoptive parents, the interstate compact on the placement of children will require the home visits of the prospective adoptive child pending the final adoption. An adoption lawyer will then prepare all paperwork for the finalization of your interstate adoption.

There are very specific requirements to obtain compliance with the interstate compact for the placement of children and it is necessary to coordinate with social services. In order to adopt a child across state lines, you should make sure to hire a lawyer who is familiar with and has previously handled ICPC cases. Contact an adoption attorney at the Law Office of Rebekah Brown-Wiseman, P.A. located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida to learn more about the adoption of children across state lines.