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Adopting in Maine
Adoption in Maine
Maine is rocky coastlines, lighthouses and lobster, and fairly simple adoption laws. Any adult over the age of 21, married or single, resident or non-resident may adopt. Adoptive families may cover medical, legal, counseling and reasonable living expenses (including transportation) for the Birth Mom. Along the coast of Maine, it's possible to see the adorable and rare Atlantic puffin.
Home Study Providers in Maine
PairTree Home Study
The Modern Way to Home Study
Adoption Attorneys in Maine
2 Adoption Agencies in ME
2 
AAAA Attorneys in ME
Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys
Traveling For Your Adoption in Maine
Length of ICPC
in Maine
N/A days
Email: james.pelletier@maine.gov
Maine 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 Maine
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: Rev. Stat. Tit. 18-A, § 9-313
A person may not:
a) Advertise for the purpose of finding a child to adopt or to otherwise take into permanent physical custody
b) Advertise that the person will place a child for adoption or in any other permanent physical placement
c) Advertise for the purpose of finding a person to adopt or otherwise take into permanent custody a particular child
This section does not prohibit:
1) The Department of Health and Human Services or a child-placing agency from advertising in accordance with rules adopted by the department
2) An attorney licensed to practice in this State from advertising the attorneyâs availability to practice or provide services relating to the adoption of children
Adoption Law Info
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Who Can Adopt?
Any married husband and wife jointly or a single individual may adopt.
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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?
Medical, legal, counseling, reasonable living (including transportation). Only adoptive parentsâ affidavit of expenses is needed.
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When does consent become irrevocable? If consent is revoked, is return to birth parent automatic?
Any time after birth; in practice, usually one week to 30 days due to court scheduling.
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Qualifications for Adoptive Parents for adoption
Citation: Rev. Stat. Tit. 18-A, § 9-301
A husband and wife jointly or an unmarried person, resident or nonresident, may petition the court to adopt a person, regardless of age.
Home Study Info
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Elements of a Home Study for Adoption
Citation: Rev. Stat. Tit. 18-A, § 9-304
The study must include an investigation of the conditions and antecedents of the child to determine whether the child is a proper subject for adoption and whether the proposed home is suitable for the child.
A background check must include a screening for child abuse cases in the records of the department and criminal history record information obtained from the Maine Criminal Justice Information System and the FBI. Each prospective parent who is not the birth parent of the child shall submit to having fingerprints taken. -
Grounds for Withholding Approval for Adoption
Citation: Rev. Stat. Tit. 18-A, § 9-304
There is a rebuttable presumption that the petitioner would create a situation of jeopardy for the child if the adoption were granted and that the adoption is not in the best interests of the child if the court finds that the petitioner for the adoption of a minor child:
• Has been convicted of an offense listed in title 19-A, § 1653(6-A)(A) [child-related sexual offense] in which at the time of the offense the victim was a minor and the petitioner was at least 5 years older than the minor, except that, if the offense was gross sexual assault and the minor victim submitted as a result of compulsion, the presumption applies regardless of the ages of the petitioner and the minor victim at the time of the offense
• Has been adjudicated of sexually abusing a person who was a minor at the time of the abuse -
When Home Studies Must Be Completed for Adoption
Citation: Rev. Stat. Tit. 18-A, § 9-304
Upon the filing of a petition for adoption of a minor child, the court shall request a background check of the adopting family. The investigation must be completed and a report submitted to the court within 60 days. -
Postplacement Study Requirements for Adoption
This issue is not addressed in the statutes and regulations reviewed.