Comparison of State Laws

AICAMA collects and tabulates information for each state on Title IV-E Adoption Assistance, State-funded Adoption Assistance and Home Studies and Finalization. This information is provided in three charts.

The Title IV-E Adoption Assistance chart provides Yes/No responses to the following questions:

• TPR (termination of parental rights) necessary to begin Title IV-E adoption assistance?
• TPR necessary on BOTH parents?

It also provides information on the maximum age to which Title IV-E adoption assistance is offered and the criteria necessary for its extension, if offered, past age 18.

The State funded adoption assistance chart provides information on the maximum age to which state funded adoption assistance is offered and the criteria necessary for its extension, if offered, past age 18.

The Home Study and Finalization chart provides Yes/No responses for each state on the following questions:

• As a sending state can adoption finalization occur outside the state?
• Can a non-resident file an adoption petition in the state?
• Must adoptive parent(s) be physically present for adoption finalization?
• Is licensure for relatives required regardless of receipt of Title IV-E maintenance payment?
• Does the state have dual licensure for foster and adoptive parents?
• Is TPR (termination of parental rights) necessary before an adoption home study?
• Is TPR necessary on BOTH parents before an adoption home study?