Adoption Laws

State, federal, and international laws govern the way adoptions are conducted.

State laws include:

• Access to Adoption Records
• Adult Adoption
• Consent to Adoption
• Parties to Adoption
• Putative Fathers
• Recognition of International Adoptions
• Regulation of Adoption Expenses
• Relinquishment, Time to Revoke
• Safe Haven Laws

Federal laws include:

• Abandoned Infants Assistance Act
• Adoption and Foster Care Assistance
• Adoption and Safe Families Act
• Americans with Disabilities Act
• Child Abuse Prevention, Adoption& Family Services Act of 1988
• Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act of 1978
• Child Support Performance and Incentive Act
• Department of Defense Appropriations Act
• Education for All Handicapped Children Act
• Education of the Handicapped Amendments
• Family/Medical Leave
• Family Support Act
• The Foster Care Independence Act of 1999
• Health Portability
• Immigration Reform Control Act
• Immigration Vaccine Act
• Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978
• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
• Interethnic Adoption Provisions
• Missing Children's Assistance Act Amendment
• Multiethnic Placement Act of 1994
• National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1992& 1993
• Omnibus Budget and Reconciliation Act of 1993
• Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
• Omnibus Reconciliation Act
• Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act
• Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act

For families adopting internationally, federal immigration and citizenship laws, and the laws of their children's countries must be observed as well. For details, visit our International Adoption Resource Center.