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Adopting in Mississippi
Adoption in Mississippi
Mississippi is called, "the birthplace of American music." When it comes to birth and adoption, Adoptive Parents must live in Mississippi for six months before adopting. However, out-of-state residents can finalize adoptions. The state is very generous when outlining how Adoptive Parents may financially support Birth moms. The law states anything connected with the mother's pregancy, the birth or adoption process. The Magnolia State is home to B.B. King, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and many more.
Home Study Providers in Mississippi
PairTree Home Study
The Modern Way to Home Study
Adoption Attorneys in Mississippi
2 Adoption Agencies in MS
2 
AAAA Attorneys in MS
Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys
Traveling For Your Adoption in Mississippi
Length of ICPC
in Mississippi
N/A days
Email: icpc@mdcps.ms.gov
Mississippi 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 Mississippi
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. Code § 43-15-117
No child-placing agency shall advertise in the media markets in Mississippi seeking birth mothers or their children for adoption purposes unless the agency holds a valid and current license. Any child-placing agency, physician, or attorney who advertises for child-placing or adoption services in Mississippi shall be required by the Division of Family and Childrenâs Services to show their principal office location on all media advertising for adoption services.
Nothing in this section precludes payment of reasonable medical, legal, or other lawful services fees, and for the legal proceedings related to lawful adoption proceedings; and no provision of this section abrogates the right of procedures for independent adoption as provided by law.
Adoption Law Info
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Who Can Adopt?
A single adult or a married couple jointly may adopt. The adopting parent(s) must reside in Mississippi for 6 consecutive months before petitioning to 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?
An agency or attorney licensed by the state may serve as an adoption facilitator, but no payment outside of fees for reasonable services may be made.
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What birth parent expenses may be paid, and in what time period?
Anything reasonably connected with the motherâs pregnancy, the birth of the child, or the adoption process.
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When does consent become irrevocable? If consent is revoked, is return to birth parent automatic?
Upon signing.
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Qualifications for Adoptive Parents for adoption
Citation: Code of Rules 11-111-001
The general requirements for adoptive applicants include the following:
• Only applicants living in the State will be accepted, unless the family in another State goes through the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children.
• Applicants for adoption, including both the husband and the wife if the application is from a couple, must be at least age 21. The agency considers:
o Applicants age 40 and younger for an infant
o Applicants age 45 and younger for a child between 2 and 6
o Applicants age 45 and older for a child 6 and older
• Married couples shall have a legal marriage of 2 years in duration. An application from a single person will be accepted. Unmarried couples may not adopt per State statutes.
• The family should have sufficient income to meet their needs and in some cases those of the child to be adopted if the child is not eligible for any type of assistance.
• The home and neighborhood should provide adequate space and living conditions necessary to promote health, safety, and well-being for the family.
o Each child placed for adoption must have his/her own bed. Children in adoptive placement may not share a bedroom with an adult or with children of the opposite sex.
o The house must have at least one smoke detector located near the bedrooms. There must be at least one 5-lb. fire extinguisher, located near entrance and exit doors, which is readily visible. The house must be equipped with telephone service.
o Water and sewage systems not connected to an approved city or community service must be approved by the Health Department. Outdoor toilets are not acceptable
• The applicants must verify that they are healthy enough to care for a child.
Home Study Info
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Elements of a Home Study for Adoption
Citation: Code of Rules 11-111-001
The purpose of a home study is:
• To determine with the applicants whether they are capable of becoming parents who can meet the needs of an adoptive child
• To consider what kind of child can benefit from their home
• To prepare the applicants for adoption and help them to anticipate the special needs of an adopted child
• To prepare the applicants for the demands inherent in parenthood with emphasis on adoptive parenthood
• For the adoption worker to observe and note evidence of the applicantsâ flexibility and capacity to grow and develop as prospective parents during the adoptive home study process
All applicants are expected to complete a group preparation process that consists of a series of training sessions. The applicants will each write their own Life Story using an outline provided by the adoption worker. The Life Stories are to be submitted with the completed applicant forms to the adoption worker and should be used as a basis of discussion in the individual interviews.
Each prospective adoptive parent must disclose any criminal record or alleged criminal activity by signing a disclosure form. A routine check with the local law enforcement agencies (both city and county) in the current as well as the last place of residence will be a part of the adoption study. A required check against the Child Abuse Central Registry is completed. Reference contacts with the following are required:
• The current employer and previous employers within the past 5 years
• Four character references, three of which cannot be related
• The child abuse central registry -
Grounds for Withholding Approval for Adoption
Citation: Code of Rules 11-111-001
The agency will postpone or withdraw from the adoption home study under any of the following circumstances:
Adoptive applicantâs pregnancy
Acceptance of a child for adoption by adoptive parents from another source
Serious health problem of any family member
Marital separation or divorce
Failure to provide significant factual information requested on agency forms (e.g., prior marriages and divorces)
Any factor that appears to indicate possible inability to parent a child appropriately, including, but not limited to, an unfavorable reference or financial limitations -
When Home Studies Must Be Completed for Adoption
Citation: Code of Rules 11-111-001
The application process including the home study shall be completed within 90 days of the initial date of the application.
Studies must be kept up to date at all times through recording after each visit with the family. An update of the adoption study should be completed biannually by the adoption specialist. -
Postplacement Study Requirements for Adoption
Citation: Code of Rules 11-111-001
A minimum of 6 months of supervision is required for each agency placement. This may be all the time that is necessary for an infant placement. However, the supervisory period will be determined by the adjustment of the child to the new family environment. The 6 months may be shortened if appropriate or lengthened if needed to stabilize the placement.
The adoptive family will also be required to attend adoption support group meetings before placement and after for continued postadoptive support.
During the 6-month supervisory period, the adoption specialist will make the following visits:
• One visit within 2 weeks of the placement
• A minimum of one visit each of the next 3 months
• One visit at the end of the 6-month period
The specialist will submit a report of each supervisory visit to the adoption program administrator for the county of responsibility.