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Adopting in Vermont

Yes.

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.

Any individual may adopt, including a parent’s partner.

Not unless parents are using a licensed agency with custody of the child and other conditions are met.

Yes, an agency, attorney, or certified placement intermediary may be used. Adoption agencies may accept payment, but attorneys or other certified placement intermediaries may not.

Medical, legal, counseling, plus transportation related to all three. Living: no specifics in law, but no direct payments to birthparent without court pre-approval. Max 6 weeks postpartum, except counseling, which is allowed for reasonable time pre- and postplacement.

21 days after signing in court. Return automatic.

Citation: Code of Rules § 13-162-005
The prospective adoptive family must be able to meet the child’s needs

Citation: Ann. Stat. Tit. 15A, § 2-203
A preplacement evaluation shall be based upon a personal interview and visit at the residence of the person being evaluated and personal interviews or correspondence with others who know the person and may have information relevant to the evaluation.
A preplacement evaluation shall contain the following information:
• Age, nationality, racial or ethnic background, and any religious affiliation
• Marital status and family history, including the age and location of any children and the identity of and relationship to anyone else living in the household
• Parenting experience
• Physical and mental health, and any history of alcohol or drug abuse
• Education and employment history
• Property, income, and outstanding financial obligations
• Any previous requests for an evaluation or involvement in an adoptive placement and the outcome of the evaluation or placement
• Whether the person has been subject to an abuse prevention order, charged with or convicted of domestic assault, the subject of a substantiated complaint filed with the department, or subject to a court order restricting the person’s right to parental rights and responsibilities or parent-child contact with a child
• Whether the person has been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation
• Whether the person has located a parent interested in placing a child with the person for adoption and, if so, a brief description of the parent and the minor
• The reason for and attitude about adoption
• Whether the person is in noncompliance with a child support order
• Any other fact or circumstance that may be relevant in determining whether the person is suited to be an adoptive parent, including the quality of the environment in the home and the functioning of other children in the household
The applicant shall submit to fingerprinting and sign a release permitting a criminal background check.

Citation: Ann. Stat. Tit. 15A, § 2-204
If an evaluator determines that the information assessed raises a concern that placement of any minor, or a particular minor, in the home of the person would pose a risk of harm to the physical or psychological well-being of the minor, the evaluator, on the basis of the original or any further investigation, shall find that the person is or is not suited to be an adoptive parent. The evaluator shall support the finding with a written explanation.

Citation: Ann. Stat. Tit. 15A, § 2-201
Except for placements with a relative or a stepparent, a person must have a favorable written preplacement evaluation before receiving a child for adoption. An evaluation is valid if it was completed or updated within the 12 months preceding the placement of the child with the person.

Citation: Ann. Stat. Tit. 15A, §§ 3-601 through 3-603
No later than 5 days after an adoption petition is filed, the court shall order that an evaluation be made of the placement. The evaluation shall be based on a personal interview with the petitioner in his or her residence and observation of the relationship between the child being adopted and the petitioner.
The evaluation shall be in writing and contain:
• An account of any change in the petitioner’s marital status or family history, physical or mental health, home environment, property, income, or financial obligations since the filing of the preplacement evaluation
• All reasonably available information concerning the physical, mental, and emotional condition of the adoptive child that is not included in any report on the minor’s health, genetic, and social history filed in the proceeding for adoption
• Copies of any court order, judgment, decree, or pending legal proceeding affecting the adoptive child, the petitioner, or any child of the petitioner
• Any behavior or characteristics of the petitioner that raise a concern
• A recommendation concerning the granting of the petition for adoption
The evaluator shall complete a written evaluation and file it with the court within 60 days after receipt of the court’s order unless the court for good cause allows a later filing. If an evaluation produces a concern, the evaluation shall be filed immediately, and shall explain why the concern poses a risk of harm to the physical or psychological well-being of the child.