INTERSTATE COMPACT ON THE PLACEMENT OF CHILDREN (ICPC)

Compliance Checklist for Adoption

CASE INFORMATION

SECTION I: UNDERSTANDING ICPC

1.1 What is ICPC?

The Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) is a statutory agreement adopted by all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It governs the placement of children across state lines for purposes of foster care and adoption.

1.2 When Does ICPC Apply?

ICPC applies when:

☐ A child will be placed for adoption in a different state than where the child currently resides

☐ A child in foster care will be placed with a foster family in another state

☐ A child will be placed with a relative in another state (when parent is not making the placement)

☐ A child will be placed in a residential treatment facility in another state

1.3 When Does ICPC NOT Apply?

ICPC typically does NOT apply when:

☐ A parent is placing the child with the other parent

☐ A parent is placing the child with a close relative (grandparent, adult sibling, adult aunt/uncle)

☐ The child is being placed in a medical or psychiatric facility for treatment

☐ The child is being placed in a boarding school

☐ A court orders a parent to return the child to another state

NOTE: Exemptions vary by state interpretation. Always verify with ICPC offices.

SECTION II: ICPC PROCESS OVERVIEW

2.1 Key Parties

2.2 Process Timeline

SECTION III: PRE-PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS

3.1 Sending State Requirements

Agency/Attorney Responsibilities:

☐ Compile complete ICPC packet

☐ Submit request to Sending State ICPC Office

☐ Ensure all required documents are included

☐ Provide accurate contact information for all parties

☐ Advise adoptive parents NOT to take child across state lines until approval

Required Documents (Sending State):

☐ ICPC-100A (Interstate Compact Placement Request) - completed and signed

☐ ICPC-100B (Sending State Priority Home Study Request) - if expedited

☐ Cover letter identifying case type and priority

☐ Court order placing child (if applicable)

☐ Birth certificate of child (or proof of expected birth)

☐ Child's social/medical history

☐ Child's immunization records

☐ Photograph of child

☐ Consent documents from birth parents (if obtained)

☐ Relinquishment or termination of parental rights documents (if applicable)

☐ Agency license (if agency placement)

☐ Statement of expenses and financial arrangements

☐ Putative father registry search results

☐ ICWA determination documentation

☐ Any existing court orders regarding child

3.2 Receiving State Requirements

Prospective Adoptive Parents' Responsibilities:

☐ Complete home study with licensed provider

☐ Obtain all required clearances

☐ Provide all requested documentation

☐ Be available for home study interviews and visits

☐ Do NOT travel to pick up child until ICPC approval is received

Required Documents (Receiving State):

☐ Completed home study (meeting sending and receiving state requirements)

☐ Criminal background checks (state and federal)

☐ Child abuse/neglect registry clearances

☐ FBI fingerprint clearance

☐ Medical reports for prospective adoptive parents

☐ Financial documentation

☐ References

☐ Home safety inspection results

☐ Pre-adoption training certificates (if required)

☐ Copy of marriage certificate (if applicable)

☐ Birth certificates of prospective adoptive parents

SECTION IV: HOME STUDY REQUIREMENTS FOR ICPC

4.1 Home Study Components

The home study must address:

☐ Individual interviews with each prospective adoptive parent

☐ Joint interviews (if couple)

☐ Interviews with all household members

☐ Assessment of parenting capabilities

☐ Physical description of home

☐ Home safety evaluation

☐ Financial assessment

☐ Employment verification

☐ Health assessments

☐ Background check results

☐ References

☐ Assessment of any specific needs of child to be placed

4.2 Home Study Provider Information

4.3 Home Study Timeline Concerns

NOTE: Research indicates:
- Only ~30% of ICPC home studies completed within 30 days
- ~45% completed within 60 days
- ~30% take longer than 90 days

Plan accordingly and begin home study early.

SECTION V: ICPC FORMS CHECKLIST

5.1 Standard ICPC Forms

5.2 Regulation-Specific Forms

SECTION VI: APPROVAL AND PLACEMENT

6.1 Awaiting Approval

CRITICAL: DO NOT MOVE CHILD ACROSS STATE LINES UNTIL ICPC APPROVAL IS RECEIVED

☐ Receiving state has completed home study review

☐ Receiving state has issued approval/denial

☐ Sending state has transmitted approval to placing party

☐ Written ICPC approval (Form 100A with approval signature) in hand

6.2 Approval Status

6.3 If Approval is Denied

☐ Review denial reason

☐ Determine if appeal is possible

☐ Consult with legal counsel

☐ Do NOT proceed with placement

Denial Reason (if applicable): _____________________________________________

SECTION VII: POST-PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS

7.1 Supervision Requirements

☐ First face-to-face contact within 30 days of placement

☐ Supervision reports due at least every 90 days

☐ Reports must be submitted to both sending and receiving state ICPC offices

☐ Supervision continues until adoption is finalized

7.2 Post-Placement Report Schedule

7.3 Reporting Changes

Prospective adoptive parents must report:

☐ Any change of address

☐ Any significant change in household composition

☐ Any change in financial circumstances

☐ Any concerns about the child's health or adjustment

☐ Any emergency situations

SECTION VIII: FINALIZATION AND CASE CLOSURE

8.1 Adoption Finalization

8.2 ICPC Case Closure

☐ Adoption finalized

☐ Final decree sent to sending state ICPC office

☐ Final decree sent to receiving state ICPC office

☐ ICPC-100A closure form completed

☐ Case officially closed

8.3 Documents for Closure

☐ Certified copy of adoption decree

☐ Final post-placement report

☐ Notification of finalization to ICPC offices

SECTION IX: SPECIAL SITUATIONS

9.1 Priority Placement (Regulation 7)

Priority placement may be requested when:

☐ Child is under 2 years old

☐ Child has been in placement and must move

☐ Child is in a crisis situation

☐ Other urgent circumstances

Priority Request Submitted: ☐ Yes ☐ No

Response Timeline for Priority: [STATE-SPECIFIC, TYPICALLY 30 DAYS]

9.2 Border State Placement

For placements in a county bordering another state:

☐ ICPC still applies for child in custody of agency

☐ Special procedures may exist - check with ICPC offices

9.3 Disrupted Placement

If placement disrupts before finalization:

☐ Notify sending state ICPC office immediately

☐ Notify receiving state ICPC office immediately

☐ Follow procedures for child's return or new placement

☐ Document circumstances

SECTION X: VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES

10.1 ICPC Violations

Moving a child across state lines without ICPC approval may result in:

☐ Criminal charges (misdemeanor in some states)

☐ Child being returned to sending state

☐ Jeopardized adoption

☐ Civil penalties

☐ Denial of future adoption applications

10.2 Reporting Violations

If you become aware of an ICPC violation:

☐ Consult with legal counsel immediately

☐ Contact ICPC offices

☐ Document all circumstances

SECTION XI: STATE-SPECIFIC NOTES

California

• ICPC administered by California Department of Social Services
• Regulation 7 (priority) available for children under 2
• Home study must meet California Community Care Licensing standards
• Finalization typically in California if child born here

Texas

• ICPC administered by Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
• Must comply with Texas Family Code Chapter 162 for finalization
• Social study required even with ICPC approval
• Interstate Compact Unit contact: [VERIFY CURRENT CONTACT]

Florida

• ICPC administered by Florida Department of Children and Families
• Chapter 409, Florida Statutes governs ICPC
• Home study must meet Florida requirements
• 90-day placement period before finalization typical

New York

• ICPC administered by New York Office of Children and Family Services
• Out-of-state agencies must be authorized before placement
• Fingerprinting and child abuse registry checks required
• Interstate Compact Unit oversees all requests

SECTION XII: CONTACT INFORMATION

12.1 State ICPC Offices

Sending State:

Receiving State:

12.2 National Resources

SECTION XIII: DOCUMENT TRACKING

13.1 Document Submission Log

13.2 Communication Log

SECTION XIV: MASTER CHECKLIST SUMMARY

Pre-Submission

☐ All sending state documents collected

☐ All receiving state documents collected

☐ Home study completed and approved

☐ All background checks clear

☐ ICPC packet complete and organized

☐ Cover letter prepared

☐ Sending agency/attorney has reviewed packet

Submission

☐ ICPC packet submitted to sending state

☐ Confirmation of receipt obtained

☐ Sending state has transmitted to receiving state

☐ Confirmation of receiving state receipt obtained

Approval

☐ Receiving state approval received

☐ Written approval in hand (ICPC-100A signed)

☐ Any conditions of approval understood

☐ Placement date confirmed

Placement

☐ ICPC approval verified before child crosses state lines

☐ Child placed with prospective adoptive parents

☐ First post-placement visit scheduled

☐ Ongoing supervision arranged

Post-Placement

☐ All post-placement reports submitted on time

☐ Any changes reported to ICPC offices

☐ Adoption finalization scheduled

Closure

☐ Adoption finalized

☐ Certified decree sent to ICPC offices

☐ Case closure confirmed

DOCUMENT CONTROL

This checklist is provided for informational purposes only. ICPC requirements are complex and violations can have serious consequences. Always work with qualified adoption professionals and legal counsel familiar with ICPC procedures in both the sending and receiving states.