In every domestic (U.S.) adoption, a birth mother and birth father must comply with the adoption laws of their state as well as the laws between states and the laws of the U.S. Government (see below the chart) . You need to be aware of the existence of these requirements, but all the details involved should ultimately be taken care of by the adoption agency with which you have registered. If you would like information on the laws relating to adoption in your state please click on the link for your state below or visit ChildAdoptionLaws.com.

Adoption Laws: State-by-State

Alabama	Hawaii	Massachusetts	New Mexico	South Dakota
Alaska	Idaho	Michigan	New York	Tennessee
Arizona	Illinois	Minnesota	North Carolina	Texas
Arkansas	Indiana	Mississippi	North Dakota	Utah
California	Iowa	Missouri	Ohio	Vermont
Colorado	Kansas	Montana	Oklahoma	Virginia
Connecticut	Kentucky	Nebraska	Oregon	Washington
Delaware	Louisiana	Nevada	Pennsylvania	West Virginia
Florida	Maine	New Hampshire	Rhode Island	Wisconsin
Georgia	Maryland	New Jersey	South Carolina	Wyoming

Indian Child Welfare Act

The Indian Child Welfare Act applies to all 50 U.S. states. It is important if either the birth mother or the birth father has any Native American Indian heritage. If this is the case, your adoption agency will be able to take care of the details in meeting the requirements of this law.

Interstate Compact

The Interstate Compact Act is an agreement among all 50 U.S. states. The conditions of this Act must be met whenever a child goes from one state to another state for the purpose of adoption. As with the ICWA above, your adoption agency will be able to take care of the details in meeting the requirements of this law.