[Kerlynne]

I'm reading about different state laws with adoption. Say you would adopt outside your state. And the law is written that:"Can Out Of State Residents Finalize An Adoption?" And the answer is "No"

Can you translate for me what that means? We would have to finalize through THAT state? Not sure how that works, if so?!?

Like i know the agency we are working with, is a yes state, so they would hire someone(lady that did our homestudy) to help us through that process. Which means like 3 visits.

So Would that mean, if we adopted from a state like the above that is a 'No' we would have to go to that state, so many times, for finalization to occur?!

I'm hoping this makes sense, because I'm too confused! LOL

thanks!


EDIT TO SAY: neither mind! I must be tired, I worded it a little backwords. To have the state say no, is what i was talking about, which is good, so we can stay in home state to go through finalization.
But since I can't delete the post, I will still leave the question out there, for what i was still wondering, if you do find a state that says the oppposite! Oh my, i'm makeing this worst! heheh

[lisa in venice]

There are only a handful of states where nonresidents can finalize. It is not a big deal because you just finalize in your home state which in most cases is easier (no travel). The only reason to WANT to finalize in another stae is if the other state allows for a faster process. In most states it is a six month wait between placement and finalization b ut a few have only three months and a couple allow you to finalize almost immediately after placment in some cases.

If you takw an out of state placement you have to go thru the ICPC office of both states. The Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children ensures that the laws of both states are being followed. The "sending state" for example makes sure you have met all of the requirements to adopt in your state the "recieving state". When we adopted from OH there were requirements that OH had that we didn't have to meet because we weren't residents but because we were CA residents there were requirements that we had to meet that OH didn't require (Ihad to have a new TB test while there). Once your documents are reviewed by the sending state they are sent to your home state and they make sure that all of the rules surrounding placment in the other state are followed. Since each state has it's own rules this allows anyone from any state (who follows the rules) to adopt in any other state in the Union. Sometimes it takes a little longer, or alot longer but it means that when you go home if everyone has done their job you have a safe and legal adoption no matter where you are from and where the baby is from. Cool huh? OH one more thing the post placement visits are usually done in your state and a report is sent to the sending state for review. Again it is YOUR states rules that apply and the sending state is just reviewing it. Once they send it all back you can finalize in your state.

lisa

[NJNative]

We finalized out of state, not because it was faster, but because it was easier for us. We had family in the area anyway, so we could stay with them. By finalizing in the same place (same judge, same courtroom even), we could use the lawyer we used for first part of the adoption. Also, it was MUCH cheaper, as lawyers there charged about 1/3 of what they charged in our large metropolitan area. And we were spared having to deal with a whole new set of people -- lawyers, guardian ad litem, etc.

It worked out well for us, though it did involve traveling 1,200 miles with a 20-month-old toddler. I though the passengers might drop him out of the plan halfway there, sans parachute! We hit turbulance and he did NOT want to sit in his seat!