Or. Admin. R. 413-120-0220

Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 6, June 1, 2024

Section 413-120-0220 - Adoption Application Requirements

(1) A resident of Oregon applying to adopt a child in the legal custody of the Department must submit an application for an adoption home study to the Department or to a licensed adoption agency willing to contract with the Department or willing to allow another licensed adoption agency to contract with the Department for post placement supervision services as outlined in OAR 413-120-0830(2)(c).

(2) Applications.

(a) The Department accepts applications for an adoption home study from Oregon residents applying to adopt a child:

(A) In the custody of the Department;

(B) In the custody of a public child welfare agency in another state following receipt of an ICPC request from the agency in the other state; or

(C) In the custody of a public child welfare agency in another country following a request from the agency in the other country and in accordance, when applicable, with OAR 413-120-0900 to 413-120-0970.

(b) The Department accepts applications for an adoption home study for Oregon residents who have previously applied or are currently applying through another adoption agency. The applicant must:

(A) Sign a release of information allowing ongoing communication with the other adoption agency; and

(B) Sign a release of information allowing the Department to obtain a copy of the adoption file of the individual.

(3) An application submitted to the Department must include all of the following:

(a) An adoption application form;

(b) A signed, valid release of information from each applicant who is a subject of the adoption home study allowing the adoption home study to be released to the individuals and for the purposes described in OAR 413-120-0246(2);

(c) An Adoptive Family Information and Placement Preference form, unless the Department determines this is not required due to the existing relationship between the child and the applicant;

(d) Financial information, current within 12 months of application, demonstrating the ability of the applicant to meet the needs of the family and the child to be adopted;

(e) Medical information current within 24 months of application;

(f) When applicable, mental health information;

(g) When applicable, copy of marriage certificate, divorce verification, or death certificate of spouse;

(h) Consent to a criminal offender information records check for each applicant and all household members age 18 and older under Child Welfare Policy I-G.1.4, "Oregon Computerized Criminal History Checks and Nationwide Criminal History Checks through the FBI for Relative Caregivers, Foster Parents, Other Persons in the Household and Adoptive Parents for Children in the Care or Custody of DHS", OAR 413-120-0400 to 413-120-0470;

(i) Consent to a child abuse and neglect background check for each adoptive applicant and all household members age 18 and older; and

(j) Names and contact information of four references, two of whom may be relatives of the adoptive applicant, who can attest to the character and ability of the adoptive applicant to provide safe and protective care for a child.

(4) The Department may require additional information from an adoptive applicant to assess the ability of the applicant to meet the standards of an adoptive home.

(5) The adoptive applicant must be at least 21 years of age, unless one of the following subsections applies:

(a) The Child Welfare Program Manager or designee has approved a relative adoptive applicant between the ages of 18 through 20 years; or

(b) The child is an Indian child and the adoptive applicant is:

(A) A member of the child's extended family;

(B) Another member of the Indian child's tribe; or

(C) Another Indian family.

Or. Admin. R. 413-120-0220

SCF 6-1995, f. 12-22-95, cert. ef. 12-29-95; SOSCF 36-2001, f. 6-29-01, cert. ef. 7-1-01; CWP 37-2008, f. & cert. ef. 11-3-08; CWP 15-2010(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 7-1-10 thru 12-28-10; CWP 33-2010, f. & cert. ef. 12-29-10; CWP 21-2015, f. & cert. ef. 10/1/2015

Stat. Auth.: ORS 418.005

Stats. Implemented: ORS 418.005, 418.280, 418.285