Every U.S. state establishes its own set of adoption laws. Oregon adoption laws vary from those in other states, so choosing an adoption profession who knows each state’s adoption laws in necessary to guide you safely through the legal steps of adopting a child in Oregon.

This is especially necessary for families who are working with a national adoption agency like American Adoptions, because most people will ultimately adopt outside Oregon state lines. This means an expectant mother’s state’s adoption laws will be different from the adoption laws in Oregon, and your adoption professional will need to be able to navigate you through both states’ adoption laws to ensure that your adoption in Oregon is completed correctly. To learn more about how American Adoptions can help through this process, call 1-800-ADOPTION or request free information now.

In the meantime, the following information will help you learn more about domestic adoption laws in Oregon and how those laws can affect your Oregon adoption process.

*Remember that the information below is not a replacement for professional legal counsel. Direct any legal questions or concerns to your adoption attorney.*

Who Can Adopt in Oregon?

As long as at least one prospective adoptive parent has resided in Oregon continuously for a minimum for six months, then anyone can adopt a child in Oregon as long as they’ve been approved by an OR-licensed home study professional first.

Home studies include background checks, home inspections, adoption training courses, family interviews and more. You’ll need to meet your home study requirements as well as the requirements specific to your adoption agency and type of adoption.

Oregon adoption laws don’t state any other specific requirements for hopeful adoptive parents.

Who Can Be Adopted in Oregon?

Any minor child or adult may be adopted in Oregon, with the following requirements:

A minor’s biological parents must first terminate their legal parental rights for their child to become eligible for adoption in Oregon. A child’s biological parent(s) must issue their consent to an adoption in accordance with Oregon adoption consent laws.

Adults and children who are 14 years or older will need to give their consent to being adopting in Oregon.

The Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) and/or the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) must be complied with, when applicable, before you may return home with your child in Oregon.

Oregon Adoption Laws about Advertising

It’s illegal in Oregon for anyone other than licensed child-placing agencies or The State Office for Services to Children and Families to advertise for adoption online or anywhere else.

Oregon Adoption Laws about Birth Parent Expenses

Each state individually determines what type of expenses are allowed to be paid to prospective birth parents during the adoption process, and how much. Allowable prospective birth parent expenses in Oregon include:

• Legal fees

• Medical costs

• Living costs

• Travel expenses

Prospective birth parent expenses must be reviewed by an Oregon court.

The purpose of prospective birth parent expenses is to help offset the high costs of pregnancy and childbirth while a pregnant woman is creating her adoption plan. Because every individual prospective birth mother will have her own set of individual financial needs depending on her situation, there is no set amount of prospective birth parent expenses that fits for every circumstance.

Payment for the placement of a child into an adoption is illegal in any form, including gifts or favors.

Adoptive parents who work with a national adoption agency like American Adoptions benefit from our unique Risk-Sharing Program, which financially protects them in the event of an adoption disruption and will cover the cost of any lost expenses paid into that adoption situation, where an adoptive family may not be reimbursed by another adoption agency. Find out more about this service and other programs by calling 1-800-ADOPTION now.

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