What you need to know about...
Adopting in Missouri
Adoption in Missouri
Missouri is nicknamed, "The Show Me State," because early American settlers didn't believe in its existence. What you can believe in are the state's adoption laws. Any adult may adopt, and there are many allowances for Adoptive Families to financially support the Birth Mom. Medical, legal (plus court costs, administration expenses), counseling, living (food, shelter, utilities, transportation, and clothing within community norms; adoption-related travel) can be covered by Adoptive Parents. Interesting facts: Missouri is known for ragtime, Kansas City jazz, St. Louis blues and Kansas City-style barbeque.
Home Study Providers in Missouri
PairTree Home Study
The Modern Way to Home Study
Adoption Attorneys in Missouri
15 Adoption Agencies in MO
15 
AAAA Attorneys in MO
Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys
Who’s Waiting to Adopt in Missouri
Pregnant? Call/Text us at
(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
38 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 Missouri
Length of ICPC
in Missouri
1-30 days
Email: MO_ICPC@dss.mo.gov
Missouri 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 Missouri
Advertising Law Info
-
Can adoptive parents advertise for birth parents?
Yes.
-
State Advertising Code of Law
This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.
Adoption Law Info
-
Who Can Adopt?
Any adult or married couple jointly may adopt, regardless of state residency.
-
Can out-of-state residents finalize an adoption?
Yes.
-
Can adopting parents use an adoption facilitator or another paid intermediary?
Yes, adopting parents may use an adoption facilitator, as long as the facilitator complies with Dept. of Social Servicesâ regulations.
-
What birth parent expenses may be paid, and in what time period?
Medical, legal (plus court costs, administration expenses), counseling, living (food, shelter, utilities, transportation, and clothing within community norms; adoption-related travel).
-
When does consent become irrevocable? If consent is revoked, is return to birth parent automatic?
After court approves consent. Court must approve the consent within 3 days or set a hearing on the consent. Return assumed to be automatic; this aspect of law untested.
-
Qualifications for Adoptive Parents for adoption
This issue is not addressed in the statutes and regulations reviewed.
Home Study Info
-
Elements of a Home Study for Adoption
Citation: Code of Regs. Tit. 13, § 40-73.080
The family assessment process shall include:
• Confidential interviews with the applicants and all members of the applicantsâ household, as age appropriate
• A visit to the residence of the applicants that includes a complete inspection of the home
• A minimum of at least two separate visits on nonconsecutive days
A social history on each applicant that shall include:
• A description of the applicantâs family of origin, including type of family structure, values, child rearing, relationships past and present, and discipline methods
• Education and occupational history including current employment
• Marital history and current relationships
• Interests and hobbies
• Physical and mental health history including psychiatric treatment, if any, and extent of alcohol and drug use
• The applicantâs emotional stability and maturity
• Religious beliefs and practices
• Parenting background including motivation to adopt
• Location and description of physical residence, including type of community and school district available
• Financial status and management
Supplemental documentation shall include:
• At least four reference letters, including one employment-related reference per applicant from one who has worked with the person within the past 5 years, one relative, and one nonrelated personal reference
• A child abuse and neglect background screening check that is no more than 6 months old
• Criminal arrest and conviction records from a State law enforcement agency that are no more than 6 months old
• Written medical reports on all adult members of the household that are no more than 12 months old -
Grounds for Withholding Approval for Adoption
Citation: Code of Regs. Tit. 13, § 40-59.030
Information obtained from the criminal background and central registry checks regarding harmful acts to a child is provided to local division staff who are completing the home study. Findings of harmful acts do not automatically preclude approval. The relevance of the findings to child-caring responsibilities will be determined by division staff. -
When Home Studies Must Be Completed for Adoption
Citation: Code of Regs. Tit. 13, § 40-73.080
Adoptive family assessments shall be updated annually. An update also shall be completed if there is a significant change in the family situation. Updates shall include:
• One or more interviews with all members of the family
• Medical reports on all household members biennially unless otherwise indicated
• Child abuse/neglect reports on all adults completed within the past 30 days
• Arrest record check completed within the past 30 days
• Evaluation of any previous placements
• A summary of additional children to be adopted -
Postplacement Study Requirements for Adoption
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 453.077; Code of Regs. Tit. 13, § 40-73.080
When a child has been placed with the petitioner for the required 6-month placement period, the person conducting the preplacement assessment shall provide the court with a postplacement assessment. The postplacement assessment shall include an update of the preplacement assessment that was submitted to the court and a report on the emotional, physical, and psychological status of the child.
In regulation: A child-placing agency shall maintain contact with the family during the supervision period. For children younger than age 3, the agency shall:
• Conduct quarterly home visits until the adoption is final
• Conduct monthly telephone contacts between home visits
• Receive regular written reports from the childâs pediatrician
For children age 3 or older or children with special needs, the agency shall:
• Conduct one home visit within the first 10 days of placement, then, at a minimum, quarterly until the adoption is finalized
• Conduct monthly telephone contacts between home visits
• Receive regular written reports from the childâs pediatrician
The agency shall document in the childâs record that all members of the adoptive familyâs household, including the adoptive child, were interviewed during supervision and that the following issues were discussed:
• How the addition of this child into the family has changed marital and sibling relationships and how extended family and friends have reacted to the adoption
• What role each family member has assumed in child care
• How parents have coped with adjustments, additional responsibilities, discipline, physical, psychological, emotional, and financial stresses
• How the family is imparting knowledge of the childâs history, as age appropriate
• The childâs adjustment, including health, school, and family