What you need to know about...
Adopting in Vermont
Adoption in Vermont
Vermont is not just the land of maple syrup - though it's very good here. In Vermont, any adult may adopt, including same-sex couples, married or not. All fees relative to pregnancy including medical, legal, counseling (both pre- and post-partum) and living expenses for the Birth Mom may be covered by the Adoptive Parent(s). The adopted child must reside with the Adoptive Family for six months before adoption petition are signed by the court. Vermont is also home to 100 19th-Century covered, wooden bridges.

Home Study Providers in Vermont
PairTree Home Study
The Modern Way to Home Study
Adoption Attorneys in Vermont
6 Adoption Agencies in VT
2
AAAA Attorneys in VT
Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys
Traveling For Your Adoption in Vermont
Length of ICPC
in Vermont
1-30 days
Email: patricia.casanova@vermont.gov
Vermont 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 Vermont
Advertising Law Info
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Can adoptive parents advertise for birth parents?
Yes.
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State Advertising Code of Law
This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.
Adoption Law Info
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Who Can Adopt?
Any individual may adopt, including a parentâs partner.
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Can out-of-state residents finalize an adoption?
Not unless parents are using a licensed agency with custody of the child and other conditions are met.
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Can adopting parents use an adoption facilitator or another paid intermediary?
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.
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What birth parent expenses may be paid, and in what time period?
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.
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When does consent become irrevocable? If consent is revoked, is return to birth parent automatic?
21 days after signing in court. Return automatic.
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Qualifications for Adoptive Parents for adoption
Citation: Code of Rules § 13-162-005
The prospective adoptive family must be able to meet the childâs needs
Home Study Info
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Elements of a Home Study for Adoption
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 personâs 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. -
Grounds for Withholding Approval for Adoption
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. -
When Home Studies Must Be Completed for Adoption
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. -
Postplacement Study Requirements for Adoption
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 petitionerâs 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 minorâs 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 courtâs 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.