What you need to know about...
Adopting in Kansas
Adoption in Kansas
Kansas - a state known for being rather flat, wide open and filled with wheat fields - is pretty open with their adoption laws. There isn't an age specification for Adoptive Parents. The only rule is that the Adoptive Parent must be at least 10 years older than the adopted child. Adoptive families may cover reasonable living expenses for the Birth Mom during or as the result of the pregnancy, as well as medical and legal expenses for up to six weeks post placement. Here's a Kansas geography fact: Smith County in Kansas is the exact middle of the 48 contiguous states.
Home Study Providers in Kansas
PairTree Home Study
The Modern Way to Home Study
Adoption Attorneys in Kansas
10 Adoption Agencies in KS
6 
AAAA Attorneys in KS
Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys
Traveling For Your Adoption in Kansas
Length of ICPC
in Kansas
1-30 days
Email: DCF.KSICPC@KS.GOV
Kansas adheres to the Interstate Compact On The Placement of Children (ICPC) – a uniform law in all 50 States that establishes procedures for the interstate placement of children. The ICPC also places specific responsibilities on those involved in placing the children. The three principle goals of the ICPC are to:
Protect the children being placed.
Ensure that they receive the services they need.
Facilitate permanent placements for those children who are in state custody
Adoption Law FAQ in Kansas
Advertising Law Info
-
Can adoptive parents advertise for birth parents?
Yes.
-
State Advertising Code of Law
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 59-2123(a)(1), (b)-(c)
Any person who advertises that such person will adopt, find an adoptive home for a child, or otherwise place a child for adoption shall state in such advertisement whether or not such person is licensed and if licensed, under what authority such license is issued and in what profession.
This provision shall not apply to the Kansas Department for Children and Families or to an individual seeking to adopt a child.
The term âadvertiseâ means to communicate by newspaper, radio, television, handbills, placards or other print, broadcast, telephone directory, or electronic medium.
Adoption Law Info
-
Who Can Adopt?
A child may be adopted by an adult who is at least 10 years older than the child. An exception to this requirement may be made if the adoptive parent is a stepparent, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, or first cousin of the child and, if that person is married, is adopting jointly with his or her spouse.
-
Can out-of-state residents finalize an adoption?
Yes, they can finalize where the birth parents reside or if an agency placement, where the agency is located.
-
Can adopting parents use an adoption facilitator or another paid intermediary?
Yes, as long as adopting parents use a child-placing agency.
-
What birth parent expenses may be paid, and in what time period?
Reasonable living during or as the result of the pregnancy, medical, legal. 4-6 weeks post placement.
-
When does consent become irrevocable? If consent is revoked, is return to birth parent automatic?
After consent is signed, unless signee can prove by clear and convincing evidence it was not her/his free and voluntary consent. Return is automatic.
-
Qualifications for Adoptive Parents for adoption
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 59-2113; Admin. Regs. § 28-4-176
A petition to adopt a child may be filed by any unmarried adult or a husband and wife together.
In regulation: The agency shall provide orientation to prospective adoptive parents to acquaint them with the agencyâs policies and practices, the approximate time the assessment will take, eligibility standards, types of children available, and the availability of subsidy.
Home Study Info
-
Elements of a Home Study for Adoption
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 59-2132; Admin. Regs. § 28-4-176
In making the assessment, the investigator is authorized to observe the child in the petitionerâs home, verify financial information of the petitioner, clear the name of the petitioner with the child abuse and neglect registry and, when appropriate, with a similar registry in another State, and clarify any genetic and medical history filed with the petition.
In regulation: The agency shall require prospective adoptive parents to submit an application that shall be designed to obtain information their family, their home, their financial status, and references to initiate a home study. The agency shall conduct a social study with the family in their home. The study process shall include a face-to-face interview with each member of the household. The agency shall have on file a written assessment of the adoptive home that shall assess the following areas:
• Motivation for adoption
• The familyâs attitude toward accepting an adoptive child
• Emotional stability, physical health, and compatibility of the adoptive parents
• Ability to cope with problems, stress, frustrations, crises, and loss
• Information on medical or health conditions that would affect the applicantâs ability to parent a child
• Record of convictions other than minor traffic violations
• Ability to provide for childâs physical and emotional needs
• Adjustment of the petitionersâ own children, if any, including their school reports
• Positive feelings about parenting an adoptive child
• Capacity to give and receive affection
• Types of children desired and kinds of handicaps accepted
• Types of children who would not be appropriate for placement with the family
• References
• Recommendations for number, age, sex, characteristics, and special needs children best served by the family -
Grounds for Withholding Approval for Adoption
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 59-2132
In making the assessment, the investigator shall determine whether the petitioner has been convicted of a felony for any act described in chapter 21, articles 34 [crimes against person, including murder, manslaughter, assault, battery, or kidnapping], 35 [sex offenses, including rape, sexual battery, or sexual exploitation of a child], or 36 [crimes affecting family relationships or children, including incest, abuse, abandonment, or endangerment of a child], (prior to their repeal, or section 36 through 86, 174, 210, 211 or 229 through 231 of chapter 136 of the 2010 Session Laws of Kansas) or, within the past 5 years been convicted of a felony violation of §§ 21-36a01 through 21-36a17, or any felony violation of any provision of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act prior to July 1, 2009, and, when appropriate, any similar conviction in another jurisdiction. -
When Home Studies Must Be Completed for Adoption
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 59-2132
The assessment and report required by this section shall have been completed no more than 1 year prior to the filing of the petition for adoption. -
Postplacement Study Requirements for Adoption
Citation: Admin. Regs. § 28-4-176
The agency worker shall establish a time schedule for visits to the adoptive family after the placement of a child in order to be able to make clear recommendations for the finalization of the adoption.