Crossing the Line

Many people think that it’s impossible to adopt outside of their?immediate area. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Yes, different states have differing laws about adoption, but every state finds a way to work together through something called the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, or ICPC.

ICPC is an agreement between all 50 states, the District of Columbia and US Virgin Islands that governs the placement of children from one state to another. It lays out exactly what is needed for a child to leave their birth state to travel home, ensuring that there are no legal surprises once they get there.

Here’s how it works…your agency will build two files, one to satisfy the needs of the birth state and the other to satisfy the needs of the state they’re going to. The two states compare notes to make sure everything is covered, and once it is, you’re able to travel home with your adopted child. Once the child is placed with you, it takes about a week, but you cannot leave the state of birth until you receive ICPC approval.

Sound complicated? It’s really not.In most cases, your agency is working feverishly behind the scenes while you’re somewhere at a hotel getting to know your new baby. Once the phone rings and you’re given the go ahead, normal life will resume quickly enough.

Don’t limit your adoption search to your geographical region.Your newborn may be just a short flight away.