What you need to know about...
Adopting in Washington
Adoption in Washington
Washington is an adoption friendly state. In fact, it's been recognized as a leader for an innovative approach to adoption (it's the home of PairTree!) and high placement rates. According to the State, the success of Washington's adoption programs can be attributed to the unique partnerships between public and private adoption agencies responsible for adoption planning and placement.
Home Study Providers in Washington
3 Home Study Providers in WA
$1,800 Average Home Study Cost
33 days Average Home Study Duration
PairTree Home Study
The Modern Way to Home Study
Adoption Attorneys in Washington
15 Adoption Agencies in WA
10 
AAAA Attorneys in WA
Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys
Who’s Waiting to Adopt in Washington
Pregnant? Call/Text us at
(206) 279-7578
Personality Type
Most Common Personality Types Amoung Waiting Families on PairTree
Data is from LifePair™ - Our proprietary, personality-based matching system.
Average Age
40 years old
Profession
Most Common Professions Amoung Waiting Families on PairTree
Family Structure
Political Affiliation
Education
Race
Find Families
Browse profiles and get to know our hopeful parents.
Traveling For Your Adoption in Washington
Length of ICPC
in Washington
1-30 days
Email: waicpc@dcyf.wa.gov
Washington 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 Washington
Advertising Law Info
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Can adoptive parents advertise for birth parents?
Yes.
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State Advertising Code of Law
Citation: Rev. Code § 26.33.400(1)-(2)
No person or entity shall cause to be published for circulation, or broadcast on a radio or television station, an advertisement of a child or children offered or wanted for adoption, or shall hold himself or herself out through such advertisement as having the ability to place, locate, dispose, or receive a child or children for adoption unless such person or entity is:
1) A duly authorized agent, contractee, or employee of the department or a childrenâs agency or institution, licensed by the department to care for and place children
2) A person who has a completed preplacement report with a favorable recommendation as to the fitness of the person to be an adoptive parent
Adoption Law Info
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Who Can Adopt?
An individual who is 18 years or older, legally competent, and has completed an approved home study.
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Can out-of-state residents finalize an adoption?
Yes.
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Can adopting parents use an adoption facilitator or another paid intermediary?
Yes, a child-placing agency, the state, or a government agency may act as a facilitator. The facilitator can only charge fees for coverage of the birthmotherâs prenatal care and medical expenses in connection with the childâs birth and relevant attorney fees and court costs.
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What birth parent expenses may be paid, and in what time period?
Medical, legal, counseling, living (rent, food, clothing, utilities, transportation). Lost wages possible but not in addition to general living expenses. No time statute, but in practice, about 2 months postpartum, longer in extraordinary circumstances.
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When does consent become irrevocable? If consent is revoked, is return to birth parent automatic?
Upon court approval, which can take place 48 hours after birth, or consent signing, whichever is later.
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Qualifications for Adoptive Parents for adoption
Citation: Rev. Code § 26.33.140
Any person who is legally competent and age 18 or older may be an adoptive parent.
Home Study Info
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Elements of a Home Study for Adoption
Citation: Rev. Code § 26.33.190
The preplacement report shall be based on a study that includes an investigation of the home environment, family life, health, facilities, and resources of the applicant. The report shall include a recommendation as to the fitness of the applicant to be an adoptive parent. The report shall also verify that the following issues were discussed with the prospective adoptive parents:
• The concept of adoption as a lifelong developmental process and commitment
• The potential for the child to have feelings of identity confusion and loss regarding separation from the birth parents
• If applicable, the relevance of the childâs relationship with siblings and the potential benefit to the child of providing for a continuing relationship and contact between the child and known siblings
• Disclosure of the fact of adoption to the child
• The childâs possible questions about birth parents and relatives
• The relevance of the childâs racial, ethnic, and cultural heritage
All preplacement reports shall include a background check of any conviction records, pending charges, or disciplinary board final decisions of prospective adoptive parents. The background check shall include an examination of State and national criminal identification data including, but not limited to, a fingerprint-based background check of national crime information databases for any person being investigated. It also shall include a review of any child abuse and neglect history of any adult living in the prospective adoptive parentsâ home. The background check of the child abuse and neglect history shall include a review of the child abuse and neglect registries of all States in which the prospective adoptive parents or any other adult living in the home have lived during the 5 years preceding the date of the preplacement report. -
Grounds for Withholding Approval for Adoption
Citation: Admin. Code §§ 388-06-0170; 388-06-0180
An applicant will be permanently disqualified if he or she has a felony conviction for any of the following:
• Child abuse and/or neglect
• Spousal abuse
• A crime against a child, including child pornography
• A crime involving violence, including rape, sexual assault, or homicide but not including other physical assault
The applicant will not be approved if it has been less than 5 years from a conviction for the following crimes:
• Any physical assault not included above
• Any sex offense not included above
• Any felony conviction not included above
• Felony violation of the following:
o The Imitation Controlled Substances Act, the Legend Drug Act, the Precursor Drug Act, or the Uniform Controlled Substances Act
o Manufacturing, delivering, or possessing a controlled substance with intent to deliver, or using a building for illegal drug-related purposes -
When Home Studies Must Be Completed for Adoption
Citation: Rev. Code § 26.33.180
Except as provided in § 26.33.220, a child shall not be placed with prospective adoptive parents until a preplacement report has been filed with the court. -
Postplacement Study Requirements for Adoption
Citation: Rev. Code § 26.33.200
At the time the petition for adoption is filed, the court shall order a postplacement report made to determine the nature and adequacy of the placement and to determine if the placement is in the best interests of the child. The report shall be prepared by an agency, the department, an individual approved by the court, or a qualified salaried court employee appointed by the court.
The report shall be in writing and contain all reasonably available information concerning the physical and mental condition of the child; home environment, family life, health, facilities, and resources of the petitioners; and any other facts and circumstances relating to the propriety and advisability of the adoption. The report also shall include, if relevant, information on the childâs special cultural heritage, including membership in any Indian Tribe or band.
The report shall be filed within 60 days of the date of appointment unless the time is extended by the court. The preplacement report shall be made available to the person appointed to make the postplacement report.