OAR 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 approval to be a potential adoptive resource to the Department or an application for an adoption home study 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 approval to be a potential adoptive resource 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 approval to be a potential adoptive resource 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 for approval to be a potential adoptive resource must be submitted to the Department and 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; (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) Consent to a criminal records check for each applicant or relative applicant and all household members age 18 and older, except those placed in the home by the Department prior to turning 18, as outlined in OAR 413-208-0000 to 413-208-0035; (e) Consent to a child abuse and neglect background check for each applicant or relative applicants and all household members age 18 and older; and (f) Names and contact information of references who can attest to the character and ability of the applicant or relative applicant to provide safe and protective care for a child. Applicants who are not relative applicants, must provide four references, two of whom may be relatives of the applicant. Relative applicants must provide two references, both of whom may be relatives of the relative applicant. (g) The Department may request the following information and documents at the time of the application or as part of an adoption home study: (A) Current financial information, for up to 12 months preceding the date of the application or the date of the adoption home study, demonstrating the ability of the applicant or relative applicant to meet the needs of the family and the child to be adopted; (B) Current Medical information, for up to 24 months directly preceding the date of the application or the date of the adoption home study. (i) Mental health information including diagnoses and treatment history; (ii) Copies of medical or mental health reports from a health care professional including a report from an expert evaluation conducted at the Department’s request; (iii) Copy of marriage certificate, divorce verification, or death certificate of spouse; (4) The Department may require additional information from an applicant or relative applicant to assess the ability of the applicant to meet the standards of an adoptive home. (5) The applicant or relative applicant must be at least 18 years of age.