Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children or more commonly referred to by its acronym ICPC is a frequent term you will hear as you explore the adoption. ICPC is a legal agreement that all 50 states participate in that regulates the adoption of children across state lines. This agreement ensures that both the “sending state” (for infant adoptions this is the state the child is born in, or for toddler/child adoptions this is the state the child resides in) and the “receiving state” (this is the state the prospective adoptive parents/placement reside in) is a safe & legal placement of a child.
ICPC is a required process for non-relative interstate adoptions including private adoption agencies such as Starr Adoption Services, foster care placements across state lines, and independent adoptions. In many cases close relatives such as grandparents may be exempt from this, but it is recommended that any possible legal exemptions is discussed with your own legal counsel to ensure you are following all laws and regulations.
While sometimes families can be eager to get home quickly it is important and legally required that prospective adoptive parent(s) wait until both the sending and receiving states approve the ICPC for your care and give the agency the green light for you to go home. This process is typically rather fast occurring within a few weeks, but can take up to 60days (although the later timeframe is rare). This system is in place to ensure the safety of vulnerable children. Failure to adhere to ICPC wait times can disrupt your adoption.
Your Adoption Professionals will be regularly checking the status of your ICPC. We ask that you follow ICPC rules and regulations by remaining in the state as you await approval to go home.
