Interstate (ICPC)

The Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) requires strict rules to be followed and steps to be taken before a child can be moved from one state to another for the purposes of adoption. When the child is born or resides in a state other than the one of the adopting family, the adoption is interstate, and must then comply with ICPC.

An interstate adoption can be private, agency or agency-assisted. The adopting couple must have completed a home study and depending upon the laws of their home state, it may be necessary to obtain a foster parent license from a child welfare agency, even if the adoption is private. The parental rights of the birth parents are terminated according to the law where the child resides, and the adoption is completed in the state of residence of the adopting parents.

The Compact Administrators in both states must approve the placement before the child is allowed to leave the state where born and enter the adopting parents’ home state. However, you should know that because Kansas has very favorable adoption laws, it is possible to finalize the adoption in Kansas once ICPC clearance has been given within one to 30 days from the date of the birth of the child.