[SanInUtah]

Is there anyone here who has adopted a child from a state agency other than their own?

We live in a state with few children. I saw one on the photolistings for a nearby state and decided to respond to the agency. This child is under two and has neuro issues as well as muscular and some feeding difficulties. There's not going to be many people lining up to take this baby in, same as the adoption of our first child who is also special needs. I think we'd be good for him and he'd be loved by us.

How hard is an interstate adoption through state agencies? Do you begin with your own county or send them a privately obtained homestudy. My homestudy was done by Los Angeles County originally, so it should meet any county's criteria. We just need to update it, which I'm told is not hard to do.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[ourdreamcametru]

No advice, just wanted to wish you luck!

[DSnapp]

The Interstate Compact is not hard. It just makes sure that the laws in both states are followed. You should be able to contact your state compact office and find out what laws are relavant in both states. The state agency from the placing state should also know what needs to be done. If your original home study was done in a different state from where you live now, that will probably have to be re-done in your current state. Good luck!!

[SanInUtah]

DS,

I've never walked this path, so thanks for your input! There's a compact office in my state?!? I'll be on the phone this week, if the SW even bothers to reply. So far, no go.

My HS was done when I was single and living in CA, now I'm married and living in UT. So it will have to be reworked but somethings (like my biography) will not need much updating. I'm betting that the state has someone they can recommend...maybe we can do the updates ourselves; my mom is a paralegal. In any event, we're just beginning this journey, again.