What you need to know about...
Adopting in Connecticut
Adoption in Connecticut
Did you know there's an area in Connecticut called, Mystic County? What's not mystic are their adoption laws. Those are pretty clear cut. Adoptive Parents are allowed to cover medical and legal expenses, with court approval, counseling, and up to $1500 of living expenses, including telephone, clothing for the Birth Mom. Fun fact: The state bird is the American Robin.
Home Study Providers in Connecticut
PairTree Home Study
The Modern Way to Home Study
Adoption Attorneys in Connecticut
1 Adoption Agencies in CT
1 
AAAA Attorneys in CT
Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys
Traveling For Your Adoption in Connecticut
Length of ICPC
in Connecticut
1-30 days
Connecticut adheres to the Interstate Compact On The Placement of Children (ICPC) – a uniform law in all 50 States that establishes procedures for the interstate placement of children. The ICPC also places specific responsibilities on those involved in placing the children. The three principle goals of the ICPC are to:
Protect the children being placed.
Ensure that they receive the services they need.
Facilitate permanent placements for those children who are in state custody
Adoption Law FAQ in Connecticut
Advertising Law Info
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Can adoptive parents advertise for birth parents?
Yes.
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State Advertising Code of Law
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 45a-728d
Any prospective adoptive parent may advertise through any public media in this State for placement of a child into his or her care for the purpose of adoption.
Adoption Law Info
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Who Can Adopt?
Any adult may adopt, but the sexual orientation may be considered when placing a child as the state is not required to place a child with a homosexual or bisexual individual, and a married couple must adopt jointly unless an exception is made by the court.
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Can out-of-state residents finalize an adoption?
No.
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Can adopting parents use an adoption facilitator or another paid intermediary?
Not addressed in state statutes.
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What birth parent expenses may be paid, and in what time period?
Medical and legal, with court approval. Counseling. Max. $1500 living expenses, including telephone, clothing.
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When does consent become irrevocable? If consent is revoked, is return to birth parent automatic?
After finalization, which typically occurs within 30 days of filing consent. Return automatic.
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Qualifications for Adoptive Parents for adoption
Citation: State Agencies Regs. §§ 17a-145-143; 17a-145-144; 17a-145-147
The health of persons living in the prospective adoptive family shall not present a hazard to the children. Prospective adoptive parents and others members of the household shall be of good character, habits, and reputation.
Prospective adoptive parents shall have an income sufficient to meet the needs of their family. Money received on behalf of the child shall be expended on the care of the child.
Home Study Info
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Elements of a Home Study for Adoption
Citation: Gen. Stat. § 17a-114(b)(2); State Agencies Regs. § 17a-145-154
The applicant and any person age 16 or older living in the applicantâs household shall submit to State and national criminal history records checks prior to placement of a child. The department also shall check the State child abuse registry for the names of the applicant and any person age 16 or older living in the household.
In regulation: The department or child-placing agency shall conduct an assessment of any prospective adoptive parent(s)â home. The assessment shall include, but not be limited to:
• The physical condition of the home
• The health of the applicant and other members of the household
• The ability of the applicant to provide an environment that will advance the physical, mental, emotional, educational, and social development of the adoptive child -
Grounds for Withholding Approval for Adoption
Citation: State Agencies Regs. § 17a-145-152
Approval shall be denied if any member of the household of a prospective adoptive family:
• Has been convicted of injury or risk of injury to a minor or other similar offenses against a minor
• Has been convicted of impairing the morals of a minor or other similar offenses against a minor
• Has been convicted of violent crime against a person or other similar offenses
• Has been convicted of the possession, use, or sale of controlled substances within the past 5 years
• Has been convicted of illegal use of a firearm or other similar offenses
• Has ever had an allegation of child abuse or neglect substantiated
• Has had a minor removed from their care because of child abuse or neglect
Approval may be denied if any member of the household of a prospective adoptive family:
• Is awaiting trial, or is on trial, for charges as described above
• Has a criminal record that the department or child-placing agency believes makes the home unsuitable
• Has a current child abuse or neglect allegation pending -
When Home Studies Must Be Completed for Adoption
Citation: Gen. Stat. § 45a-727
When an application for adoption has been filed, the court shall request the department or a child-placing agency to make an investigation and submit a written report to it, in duplicate, within 60 days from the receipt of the request. -
Postplacement Study Requirements for Adoption
This issue is not addressed in the statutes and regulations reviewed.