Interstate adoption concerns can arise in a variety of circumstances. The most common concerns arise when a resident wishes to adopt a person who does not live in his or her state. In many states, non-residents may not adopt a child unless that child has been found to be a 'hard-to-place' child. Statutes define a hard-to-place child as one who is disadvantaged because of ethnic background, age, or because he or she is a member of a sibling group which should be placed together. Once the child meets the definition, the court may allow the adoption by a non-resident. In addition, adoptive parents of hard-to-place children are sometimes eligible for financial aid. Another situation involving non-residents is when an adoption petition has been filed in one state, and the natural parent or parents, who must give their consent to the adoption, reside in another state. In that case, many states recognize the consent as long as certain procedures have been followed. For more information on those procedures, consult an adoption attorney or agency.
