Can You Choose an Adoptive Family in Another State?
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If you’re considering adoption for your baby, you may be wondering: Do I have to pick a family near me?
You’ll be happy to learn, you can choose a family from anywhere in the U.S.
At American Adoptions, we work with hopeful adoptive families in every state. That means you’re not limited to just your local area — you have access to a much larger pool of loving, pre-screened families. This gives you the best chance of finding the right parents for your baby — the ones who feel like “the one.”
Why Choose an Adoptive Family from Another State?
Being open to families in other states can offer powerful benefits:
- More Choices: A larger national pool means you’re more likely to find the exact family you’re envisioning.
- The Perfect Fit: Whether you want a family with a certain faith, cultural background, lifestyle, or level of openness, we can help you find a match that meets your needs — no matter where they live.
You deserve to have every possible option when choosing who will raise your baby. Limiting your search by geography might make the process harder than it needs to be.
How Does Interstate Adoption Work?
Placing your baby with a family in another state is completely legal and common — but it does involve a few extra legal steps to protect everyone involved. The most important law here is called the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC).
What is the ICPC?
The ICPC is a legal agreement between all 50 U.S. states. It ensures that when a child is adopted across state lines:
- Both states approve the adoption before placement
- All legal requirements are met
- The rights of the birth parent(s), the child, and the adoptive family are protected
It may sound complicated, but don’t worry — we take care of everything for you.
Our adoption specialists and legal professionals handle the paperwork, communicate with both states, and make sure everything is completed legally and safely. You won’t have to worry about traveling, court filings, or legal confusion.
How You Can View Families Across the Country
When you work with American Adoptions, there are two ways to explore adoptive family profiles:
Work with Your Specialist
You’ll tell us what you’re looking for — religion, lifestyle, other children, race/ethnicity, location, level of contact after placement, etc. Based on that, we’ll send you hand-picked profiles of families from across the U.S. who match your preferences.
Browse on Your Own Time
You can explore adoption profiles online anytime. Filter by state or region if you’d like, or simply scroll through until a family stands out.
Whether you prefer one-on-one guidance or independent browsing, we’ll help you find the family that feels right.
We’re With You at Every Step
Interstate adoption might seem intimidating at first, but with the right support, it’s smooth and simple. At American Adoptions, we:
- Coordinate the legal process between both states
- Provide 24/7 counseling and emotional support
- Offer financial assistance for pregnancy-related expenses
- Help you decide on open adoption and post-placement contact
- Match you only with fully screened, home study-approved families
You’re not in this alone — and you’ll never have to navigate it without help.
You Choose— No Matter Where the Family Lives
Yes, you can choose an adoptive family in another state — and doing so could help you find the perfect match faster and easier.
Working with a national adoption agency gives you access to hundreds of pre-screened families from across the country, so you never have to settle. And with experienced professionals handling the legal process through ICPC, you can focus on what matters most: choosing a future for your baby that you feel good about.
Disclaimer
Information available through these links is the sole property of the companies and organizations listed therein. American Adoptions provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.