What you need to know about...
Adopting in Ohio
Adoption in Ohio
The slogan for Ohio is, "so much to discover." There are a few things to discover when it comes to adoption in Ohio. Though any adult, married or single may adopt, supporting the Birth Mom has a few ins and outs. Medical, legal, living and counseling expenses may be paid by the Adoptive Family. However, covering the Birth Mom's living expenses in private adoptions is generally prohibited (some courts permit).The good news is, in an interstate adoption, where Ohio is the sending state, rules of Adoptive Family's state regarding covering Birth Mom expenses apply. Seven Presidents have come from Ohio giving it the name, "Mother of Presidents."
Home Study Providers in Ohio
PairTree Home Study
The Modern Way to Home Study
Adoption Attorneys in Ohio
17 Adoption Agencies in OH
12 
AAAA Attorneys in OH
Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys
Traveling For Your Adoption in Ohio
Length of ICPC
in Ohio
1-30 days
Email: Ohio_ICPC_Office@jfs.ohio.gov
Ohio participates in the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) – a statutory agreement between all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the US Virgin Islands. The agreement governs the placement of children from one state into another state. It sets forth the requirements that must be met before a child can be placed out of state. The Compact ensures prospective placements are safe and suitable before approval, and it ensures that the individual or entity placing the child remains legally and financially responsible for the child following placement.
Adoption Law FAQ in Ohio
Advertising Law Info
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Can adoptive parents advertise for birth parents?
No.
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State Advertising Code of Law
Citation: Rev. Code § 5103.17
The biological parent of a child may advertise the availability for placement of the parentâs child for adoption to a qualified adoptive parent. A qualified adoptive parent may advertise that the qualified adoptive parent is available for placement of a child into the qualified adoptive parentâs care for the purpose of adopting the child. A government entity may advertise about its role in the placement of children for adoption or any other information that would be relevant to qualified adoptive parents.
Adoption Law Info
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Who Can Adopt?
A married couple jointly with at least one adult spouse, a single adult or a married person without his/her spouse if legally separated, an unmarried minor if birth parent to the adopted child, a married adult without his/her spouse if the spouse is the adopted childâs birth parent or if the spouseâs reason for not jointly petitioning is excused by the court.
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Can out-of-state residents finalize an adoption?
In some courts.
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Can adopting parents use an adoption facilitator or another paid intermediary?
Yes, but only an agency or attorney may aid in placing a child, and an adoption attorney is only permitted to represent one party in adoption (either the adopting parent or the parent placing their child for adoption). Informal intermediaries are permitted in sharing the fact that a minor is or will be available for adoption with a pre-adoptive parent.
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What birth parent expenses may be paid, and in what time period?
Medical, legal. Living and counseling in agency cases. Living expenses prohibited in private adoptions, but some courts permit. In interstate cases where Ohio is the sending state, rules of receiving state regarding birth parent expenses apply.
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When does consent become irrevocable? If consent is revoked, is return to birth parent automatic?
After surrender to agency. In private adoptions, after interlocutory order (usually at 30 days) or final decree issued. If fraud, duress, or misrepresentation, consent can be withdrawn at any time. Return not automatic; withdrawal of consent must be in childâs best interest.
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Qualifications for Adoptive Parents for adoption
Citation: Rev. Stat. §§ 3107.03; 3107.031; Admin. Code § 5101:2-48-09
The following persons may adopt:
• A husband and wife together, at least one of whom is an adult
• An unmarried adult
• The unmarried minor parent of the child being adopted
The assessor shall not consider the personâs age when determining whether the person is suitable to adopt if the person is old enough to adopt.
In regulation: The child-placing agency shall provide preservice training to all adoptive applicants prior to approval of the home study. Preservice training shall include:
• Agency policy and procedures
• Child development
• Attachment and separation
• Dealing with behavioral challenges
• Cultural issues
• Caring for children who have been sexually abused
• Adoption-related issues
The agency may waive components of the requirement for education and training if the assessor determines that the family has received training previously or the family has the skills to care for the needs of the child that will be placed in the home.
Home Study Info
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Elements of a Home Study for Adoption
Citation: Admin. Code §§ 5101:2-48-09; 5101:2-48-12
The home study shall include:
• Documentation of current marital status, if applicable
• A financial statement that shows the household has an income sufficient to meet the basic needs of the household and to make timely payment of shelter costs, utility bills, and other debts
• The report of any criminal records check
• The results of a central registry of abuse and neglect for each adoptive applicant and each adult household member in every State in which the person has resided in the past 5 years
• Face-to-face interviews with all members of the household older than age 4
• A medical statement that documents that the applicant and all members of the household are free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition that would endanger children or seriously impair the ability of the household members to care for the adopted child
• The names of three people unrelated to the applicant who do not reside with the applicant to serve as references
• A favorable local or State fire safety inspection
• Documentation the residence meets all safety standards
• A completed water test by an approved Ohio water testing laboratory, if deemed necessary by the agency -
Grounds for Withholding Approval for Adoption
Citation: Admin. Code § 5101:2-48-10
The agency shall not approve an adoptive placement if the results of the criminal records check indicate that a prospective adoptive parent or, when applicable, any adult who resides with the prospective adoptive parent has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any offense listed in Admin. Code § 5101:2-48-10, Appendix A, including cruelty to animals, homicide, assault, kidnapping, sex offenses, arson, robbery, a weapons offense, or drug-related offenses. -
When Home Studies Must Be Completed for Adoption
Citation: Admin. Code §§ 5101:2-48-09; 5101:2-48-12
Upon receipt of the completed adoption application, the agency shall initiate the home study process. The study must be completed and the applicant approved before the placement of an adoptive child.
The home study shall be updated every 2 years from the date of approval of the initial home study. -
Postplacement Study Requirements for Adoption
Citation: Rev. Stat. §§ 3107.101; 3107.12; 3107.13
No later than 7 days after an adoptive child is placed in a prospective adoptive home, the assessor shall begin monthly home visits in that home until the court issues a final decree of adoption. During the home visits, the assessor shall evaluate the progress of the placement in the prospective adoptive home and also shall make face-to-face contact with the prospective adoptive parent, the adoptive child, and all other children or adults residing in the home.
An assessor shall conduct a prefinalization assessment of the child and petitioner before a court issues a final decree of adoption. On completion of the assessment, the assessor shall prepare a written report that includes:
• The adjustment of the child and the petitioner to the adoptive placement
• The present and anticipated needs of the child and the petitioner for adoption-related services
• The physical, mental, and developmental condition of the child
• If known, the childâs birth family background
• The reasons for the childâs placement with the petitioner, the petitionerâs attitude toward the proposed adoption, and the circumstances under which the child was placed in the home of the petitioner
• The attitude of the child toward the proposed adoption, if the childâs age makes this feasible
• If the child is an Indian child, how the placement complies with the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978
• If known, the childâs psychological background, including prior abuse of the child and behavioral problems of the child
A final decree of adoption shall not be issued until the adoptive child has lived in the adoptive home for at least 6 months after placement, and the department or court has had an opportunity to observe or investigate the adoptive home.