Adoption Law

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The Home Study

All potential adoptive families must by law be evaluated before they can receive a child – this is called “The Home Study.” No child can legally be placed with any family for adoption without a completed home study report. The background investigation includes child abuse and criminal history record checks, national (fingerprint) record checks, and checks of records in other states or nations you have lived in during the last five years. The law requires recommendation letters, a financial review, proof of acceptable physical health, and an examination of your residence. In Iowa, either single or married persons may adopt. People who already have children may also adopt, and the law sets no restrictions on age.

Post-Placement Reports

After a family receives a child, there is a Post-Placement period. Families are supervised for (in Iowa) a minimum period of six months involving three visits by a certified adoption professional before the adoption can be finalized. This post-placement time, and the number of post-placement visits required, can vary from state to state. All this is done to assure that the child and their new family adjust to each other and bond in mutual love.

Continuing Contact With Birth Parents

An agreement is often reached as to any on-going exchange of photos or other information. Adoptions may be “closed” or “open” depending on the mutual wishes of the birth and adopting parents.

Allowed Expenses of the birth parent

Any expenses paid to birth parents by the adoptive parents must be reported to the court at the time of the final adoption proceeding. Laws restrict what birthparent expenses can be paid during an adoption process. Laws allow medical and legal expenses, some transportation costs, adoption-related counseling and in some cases living expenses to no longer than 30 days after birth of the child.

Interstate Compact

If a child is placed for adoption across state lines, the rules of the state where the child is born control the termination of parental relationships process. The states have joined in a legal system called the Interstate Compact on Children that handles legal documentation regarding interstate adoption.