What you need to know about...
Adopting in Iowa
Adoption in Iowa
Iowa the land of rolling hills and cornfields. In this pastoral state any adult, married or single, may adopt. When it comes to expense for the Birth Mom, Adoptive parents may cover pregnancy-related medical costs, living expenses (room, board and transportation related to medical purposes) for up to 30 days after the birth, and counseling for up to 60 days after the birth.
Home Study Providers in Iowa
PairTree Home Study
The Modern Way to Home Study
Adoption Attorneys in Iowa
6 Adoption Agencies in IA
6
AAAA Attorneys in IA
Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys
Who’s Waiting to Adopt in Iowa

Personality Type
Most Common Personality Types Amoung Waiting Families on PairTree
Data is from LifePair™ - Our proprietary, personality-based matching system.
Average Age
31 years old
Profession
Most Common Professions Amoung Waiting Families on PairTree
Family Structure
Political Affiliation
Education
Race
Find Families
Browse profiles and get to know our hopeful parents.
Traveling For Your Adoption in Iowa
Length of ICPC
in Iowa
1-30 days
Email: iowaicpc@dhs.state.ia.us
Iowa 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 Iowa
Advertising Law Info
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Can adoptive parents advertise for birth parents?
Yes.
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State Advertising Code of Law
This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.
Adoption Law Info
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Who Can Adopt?
A single or married couple jointly. A married individual without his or her spouse if the adopting spouse is the stepparent, separated from his or her spouse, or unable to consent to the adoption by reason of a prolonged or unexplained absence, incapacity, or circumstances constituting an unreasonable unwillingness to consent.
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Can out-of-state residents finalize an adoption?
Yes.
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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?
Pregnancy-related medical care, living expenses for the mother in an amount not to exceed the cost of room and board and transportation for medical purposes, and counseling. Living expenses, no longer than 30 days after birth. Counseling expenses, no longer than 60 days after birth.
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When does consent become irrevocable? If consent is revoked, is return to birth parent automatic?
After signing, the birth parent has 96 hours to change his/her mind for any reason. If the birth parent wishes to object after the 96 hour period, he/she must appear at the final termination hearing and prove that signing was under duress, misrepresentation and/or fraud. If the consent is revoked within the 96 hour period, return automatic. If the birth parent objects after the 96 hour deadline, child could remain with the guardian/custodian until the Court determines whether parental rights are terminated.
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Qualifications for Adoptive Parents for adoption
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 600.5
A petition to adopt a child may be filed by any unmarried adult or a husband and wife together
Home Study Info
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Elements of a Home Study for Adoption
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 600.8; Admin. Code § 441-107.8(600)
A preplacement investigation shall answer the following:
• Whether the home of the petitioner is suitable for the placement of a child
• How the petitionerâs emotional maturity, finances, health, relationships, and any other relevant factor may affect his or her ability to accept, care, and provide a child with an adequate environment as that child matures
• Whether the petitioner has been convicted of a crime under a law of any State or has a record of founded child abuse
In regulation: The preplacement investigation shall include at a minimum two contacts, one face-to-face interview with the applicants and each member of the household, and at least one home visit. The assessment shall include the following:
• Motivation for adoption and whether the family has other children
• The familyâs attitude toward accepting an adopted child and plans for discussing adoption with the child
• Emotional stability and marital history
• Ability to cope with problems, stress, frustrations, crises, separation, and loss
• Medical conditions that would affect the applicantâs ability to parent a child
• Ability to provide for the childâs physical and emotional needs
• Adjustment of birth children and previously adopted children
• Capacity to give and receive affection
• Statements from at least three references provided by the family and other unsolicited references
• Income information
• Disciplinary practices that will be used
• History of abuse by family members and treatment
• Assessment of commitment to and capacity to maintain other significant relationships
• Substance use or abuse by family members and treatment
The adoption investigator shall submit records checks for each applicant and for any other adult living in the home of the applicant to determine whether they have founded child abuse reports or criminal convictions. -
Grounds for Withholding Approval for Adoption
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 600.8; Admin. Code § 441-107.8(600)
A prospective adoption petitioner shall not be approved if the petitioner has been convicted of any of the following felony offenses:
• A drug-related offense within the 5-year period preceding the petition date
• Child endangerment or neglect or abandonment of a dependent person
• Domestic abuse
• A crime against a child, including but not limited to, sexual exploitation of a minor
• A forcible felony
The person making the investigation shall not approve a prospective adoption petitioner unless an evaluation has been made that considers the nature and seriousness of the crime or founded abuse in relation to the adoption, the time elapsed since the commission of the crime or founded abuse, the circumstances under which the crime or founded abuse was committed, the degree of rehabilitation, and the number of crimes or founded abuse committed by the person involved.
In regulation: If there is a record of founded child abuse or a criminal conviction for the applicant, or any other adult living in the home of the applicant, the applicant shall not be approved as an adoptive family unless an evaluation determines that the abuse or criminal conviction does not warrant prohibition of approval. -
When Home Studies Must Be Completed for Adoption
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 600.8
The postplacement report shall be completed and filed with the court prior to the holding of the adoption hearing. A copy of the background information investigation report shall be furnished to the adoption petitioners within 30 days after the filing of the adoption petition.
The preplacement investigation and report shall be completed and the prospective adoption petitioner approved for a placement by the person making the investigation prior to any agency or independent placement of a child in the petitionerâs home in anticipation of an ensuing adoption. A report of a preplacement investigation that has approved a prospective adoption petitioner for a placement shall not authorize placement of a minor person with that petitioner after 1 year from the date of the reportâs issuance. -
Postplacement Study Requirements for Adoption
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 600.8; Admin. Code § 441-107.8(600)
A postplacement investigation and a report of this investigation shall:
• Verify the allegations of the adoption petition and its attachments and of the report of expenditures required by § 600.9
• Evaluate the progress of the placement of the adopted child
• Determine whether adoption by the adoption petitioner is in the best interests of the adopted child
In regulation: When an adoption investigator completes postplacement supervision, at least three visits to the adoptive familyâs home and personal observation of the child are required. Postplacement reports are to be written after each postplacement visit and copies kept in the permanent family file retained by the investigator. Postplacement supervision should assess the placement in the following areas:
• Integration and interaction of the child with the family
• Changes in the family functioning that may be due to the childâs placement
• Social, emotional, and school adjustment of the child
• Changes that have occurred in the family since placement of the child
• The familyâs method of dealing with testing behaviors and discipline
Home visits shall be completed at a minimum as follows:
• One no later than 30 days after placement
• One no later than 90 days after placement
• A final visit prior to requesting a consent to adopt
Home visits shall be completed as often as necessary if the adoptive family is experiencing problems. A report based on the postplacement visits with recommendations regarding the finalization of the adoption shall be submitted to the court.
Exceptions for Stepparent or Relative Adoptions for Adoption in Iowa
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 600.8
Any investigation or report required under this section shall not apply when the adopted person is an adult or when the adoption petitioner is a stepparent of the adopted person. However, in the case of a stepparent adoption, the court may order an investigation. Additionally, if an adoption petitioner discloses a criminal conviction or deferred judgment for an offense other than a simple misdemeanor or founded child abuse report, the petitioner shall notify the court of the inclusion of this information in the petition prior to the final adoption hearing, and the court shall make a specific ruling regarding whether to waive any investigation.