Legal requirements

In Iowa, both single and married persons may adopt.  The law does not set any restrictions on age.  All adoptive families are carefully screened before they can receive a child in a pre-placement process known as a home study.  An approved homestudy is required before a child can be placed with any family for adoption.  Their backgrounds are thoroughly investigated, including child abuse and criminal history records, and they must provide several forms of references in the homestudy process.  Many have taken newborn parenting and adoption classes to prepare themselves for the arrival of their adopted child.  Once a family receives a child, they are supervised for a minimum period of six months before the adoption can be finalized to assure that the baby and his or her new family adjust and bond with each other in every way possible.  During that time and after the adoption is completed, the parties may have agreed to exchange photos and updated information about how the child is doing.  Birthparents may also choose to provide more extensive information or photos of the child’s birth family and may agree to provide updated family health and other information through the agency for the child’s benefit later on.

Iowa law is fairly restrictive about what birthparent expenses can be paid during the entire adoption process.  All expenses paid by the adoptive parents must be reported to the court at the time of the actual adoption proceeding.  Allowable expenses include medical and legal expenses, certain transportation expenses, counseling and living expenses.  The law limits payment of living expenses to no longer than 30 days after birth of the child and counseling expenses to no longer than 60 days after birth of the child.  Payments are to be made to the provider of services so there is no concern about a birthparent profiting from the placement. 

Some adoptions occur across state lines.  When a child born in another state is placed with an Iowa family, generally it is necessary to satisfy the termination of parental rights process in the “sending” state as well as to obtain the approval of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) directors for each state.  The same is true when an Iowa-born child is placed into another state.  It is essential to have experienced assistance in both states to satisfy these requirements and return the family and child home to Iowa or their home state as quickly as possible.  Iowa families intending to finalize their adoption in Iowa must generally comply with all legal requirements of Iowa as well as the “sending” state’s law.