How does the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) work?

The ICPC establishes the procedures for interstate placements and assign responsibilities for all parties involved in placing a child for adoption. It applies only to children who are placed for adoption across state lines, not to placements made with a adult relatives, stepparents, or grandparents.

Traveling to Sending State

If an adoptive family is from state A (receiving state) and the baby is born in state B (sending state), ICPC applies. The family would travel to the sending state for the adoption of the child.

Before You Leave

Before they are allowed to leave the sending state, the adoption agency would submit (by Federal Express) the ICPC paperwork to the sending state’s ICPC office. After the sending state has approved the adoption, all of the paperwork would then be forwarded (by Federal Express) to the receiving state’s ICPC office.

Returning Back Home

Once the receiving state has approved the paperwork, the family is notified of the approval, and only then can they return to their state. If ICPC is not followed, or the family leaves before ICPC approval, the adoption could be jeopardized and the child may be returned to the sending state. Florida allows for the adoptive family to stay with the child during the wait.