What you need to know about...
Adopting in Idaho
Adoption in Idaho
Idaho, the Gem State, shines when it comes to its support for the adoption process. Any resident of Idaho may adopt, as long as the adopting parent is 25 years or older or at least 15 years older than the child. Of note, out-of-state residents can not finalize an adoption. Birth Parent(s) are allowed to pay medical, legal and counseling expenses, living expenses and lost wages (up to $500 without court approval, up to $2000 with approval). There's no time limit, but expenses must not exceed $2000 (this can be waived with court approval). Fun fact: Idaho grows a third of all America's potatoes!
Home Study Providers in Idaho
PairTree Home Study
The Modern Way to Home Study
Adoption Attorneys in Idaho
3 Adoption Agencies in ID
3 
AAAA Attorneys in ID
Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys
Who’s Waiting to Adopt in Idaho
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(206) 279-7578
Personality Type
Most Common Personality Types Amoung Waiting Families on PairTree
Data is from LifePair™ - Our proprietary, personality-based matching system.
Average Age
88 years old
Profession
Most Common Professions Amoung Waiting Families on PairTree
Family Structure
Political Affiliation
Education
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Traveling For Your Adoption in Idaho
Length of ICPC
in Idaho
1-30 days
Email: idahoicpc@dhw.idaho.gov
Idaho participates in the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) – a statutory agreement between all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the US Virgin Islands. The agreement governs the placement of children from one state into another state. It sets forth the requirements that must be met before a child can be placed out of state. The Compact ensures prospective placements are safe and suitable before approval, and it ensures that the individual or entity placing the child remains legally and financially responsible for the child following placement.
Adoption Law FAQ in Idaho
Advertising Law Info
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Can adoptive parents advertise for birth parents?
No.
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State Advertising Code of Law
Citation: Ann. Code § 18-1512A
No person or entity shall publish or broadcast on radio or television an advertisement or notice of a child or children offered or wanted for adoption, or claim through such advertisement to have the ability to place, locate, dispose, or receive a child or children for adoption, unless the person or entity is a duly authorized agent or employee of the Department of Health and Welfare or an institution licensed by the department to care for and place children.
This section is not intended to prohibit:
1) A licensed attorney from advertising his or her ability to practice or provide services related to the adoption of children
2) Physicians and other health-care providers from assisting or providing natural and adoptive parents with medical care necessary to initiate and complete adoptive placements
Adoption Law Info
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Who Can Adopt?
Any resident of Idaho may adopt, as long as the adopting parent is 25 years or older or at least 15 years older than the child (unless the adopting parent is married to the biological parent of the child). Married couples must receive consent from his/her spouse.
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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, legal, counseling. Living and lost wages: up to $500 without court approval, up to $2000 with approval. No time limit, but total must not exceed $2000. Can petition to over $2000 limit. Birth mother who revokes consent may be required to reimburse adoptive parents.
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When does consent become irrevocable? If consent is revoked, is return to birth parent automatic?
After signing.
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Qualifications for Adoptive Parents for adoption
Citation: Ann. Code § 16-1502
The person adopting a child must be at least 15 years older than the adopted child or age 25 or older.
Home Study Info
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Elements of a Home Study for Adoption
Citation: Admin. Code §§ 16.06.01.750, 762, 770; 16.05.06.100
Initial interviews with groups of applicants or with individual families will be used to explain Department of Health and Welfare policies and procedures regarding adoptive placement, the kinds of children available, and the nature of the home study. Applicants will be screened to assess their suitability to care for a specific child or children in general.
A full home study must then be made to determine the ability of the applicant to meet the needs of children available for adoption, and the specific characteristics of children the applicant indicates would be most suitably placed in the home.
For an Indian child, the study also will determine the prevailing social and cultural standards of the Indian community in which the parent(s) or extended family resides or maintains social and cultural ties.
Preplacement home studies must document the following:
• Verification that the family has resided in the State for at 6 consecutive months prior to the filing of the petition
• Verification of the ages of the adopting parent(s)
• A medical statement for each applicant, signed by a qualified medical professional, within the 12-month period prior to application to be an adoptive parent, indicating the applicant is in such physical and mental health so as to not adversely affect either the health or quality of care of the adopted child
• At least three satisfactory references, one of which may be from a person related to the applicant
All persons applying to the department or petitioning the court to be an adoptive parent and all adults in the home, except stepparents applying for adoption of a stepchild, are required to complete a fingerprint-based criminal history and background check. -
Grounds for Withholding Approval for Adoption
Citation: Admin. Code §§ 16.06.01.761; 16.05.06.210
Following an initial interview, an applicant who does not appear to meet the departmentâs requirements may be denied a full home study.
An applicant will not be approved as an adoptive parent when the person discloses or the criminal history and background check reveals a conviction for a disqualifying crime on his or her record for any of the crimes listed in regulation. -
When Home Studies Must Be Completed for Adoption
Citation: Ann. Code § 16-1506; Admin. Code §§ 16.06.01.762, 764, 771
A thorough social investigation must be completed prior to the placement of any child in the home of prospective adoptive parents. Once initiated, all studies shall be completed within 60 days.
In regulation: Once the full adoptive home study has been initiated, it must be completed within 3 months.
Upon application by a potential adoptive family, the family services worker will conduct the preplacement adoptive home study and issue the verification of positive recommendation where appropriate. The home study must be completed prior to placement of any child for adoption in that home.
An adoptive home study must be updated on an annual basis. A current home study is defined as a home study completed within the previous 12 months. -
Postplacement Study Requirements for Adoption
Citation: Admin. Code §§ 16.06.01.860; 16.06.01.861
Following the adoptive placement, a period of support and supervision by the department lasting at least 6 months must be completed prior to the finalization of the adoption. In situations where a foster family has a significant relationship with a child and the child has been placed in their home for at least the past 6 months, the supervisory period may be reduced to a minimum of 3 months. The family services worker will make scheduled visits to the home at least monthly during this period to assist the child and the family in their adjustment to each other and will update the childâs permanent record by means of monthly progress reports.
Progress reports must be made at intervals not to exceed 30 days. These reports will include the family services workerâs observation of each child and the prospective adopting parent(s), with emphasis on:
• The special needs or circumstances of each child at time of placement
• Services provided to each child and the family during the report period
• Services to be provided to each child and the family
• General appearance and adjustment of each child, including eating, sleep patterns, responsiveness, and bonding
• Adjustment of each child to all of the following that apply: school, day care, and day treatment programs
• Health and developmental progress
• Whether each child has been accepted for coverage on the familyâs medical insurance, when coverage begins, and whether there will be any limitations or exclusions
• The familyâs adjustment to adoptive placement
• Adoption assistance negotiations
• Changes in family situation or circumstances
• Areas of concern during the report period as addressed by each child and the adoptive parent(s)