Iowa's Adoption Laws

• Adoption Records
• Consent To Adoption
• Parties To An Adoption
• Birth Father Statutes
• Adoption Expenses
• International Expenses
• General Adoption Statutes

Adoption Records

Iowa

Statute: §§ 235A.15(1)-(5)

Records Confidential: Yes

Persons with access to records

• CPS/State Agencies

• Agencies From Other States

• Courts/Judges

• Law Enforcement

• Attorneys General/Prosecutors

• Attorneys, GAL's

• Physicians

• Reporters of Abuse

• Researchers

• Employers

• Parents/Guardians

• Review Teams

• Treatment Providers

• Subject of Reports

Persons without access to records

• Grand Juries

• Coroners

• Public/Any Person

Other Board of educational examiners Expert witnesses Licensing authorities Probation or corrections officers Board for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers

© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.

Consent to Adoption

The consent may be signed 72 hours following the birth.

Pre-consents are not allowed in the state of Iowa.

Revocation Time Frame in Iowa

The consent may be revoked up to 96 hours following the signing, after which a court hearing is then scheduled to terminate the parental rights. The birth mother may withdraw her consent following the 96-hour waiting period, but before the court hearing, if she can show good cause to do so.

Parties to an Adoption

Iowa

• An unmarried adult

• Husband and wife together

• Husband or wife separately under certain conditions

A minor person who has lived with adoption petitioner a minimum of 180 days

• Guardian of the person to be adopted

• The Department of Human Services

© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.

Birth Father Statutes

No information currently available.

Adoption Expenses

Iowa

1. • Legal costs relating to termination of parental rights and adoption
2. • Pregnancy and birth-related medical care for the birth mother and child
3. • Living expenses of the mother, including room, board, food, and transportation for medical purposes only
4. • Counseling provided to the birth parents
5. • Foster care for the child, if needed

Birth Parent Expenses Not Allowed Statute: § 600.9(2)

1. • Living expenses other than those listed above, and not to extend beyond 30 days after the child's birth
2. • Counseling beyond 60 days after the child's birth

Allowable Payments for Arranging Adoption Statute: § 600.9(1)(b)

 Any person assisting in the placement or adoption of a child shall not charge a fee that is more than usual, necessary, and commensurate with the services rendered.

Allowable Payments for Relinquishing Child Statute: § 600.9(1)(a)

 Except for an allowable expense, a birth parent shall not receive any thing of value for placing a child for adoption.

Allowable Fees Charged by Department/Agency Statute: § 600.8(6)

1. • A fee may be charged for any required investigations.
2. • The fee may not exceed the reasonable cost of services rendered that is based on a sliding scale relating to the person's ability to pay.

Accounting of Expenses Required by Court Statute: § 600.9(2) A petitioner shall file with the court a full accounting, in a report prescribed by the court, signed and verified, of all disbursements made in connection with the adoption.

© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.

International Expenses

No information currently available.

General Adoption Statutes

Iowa

1. • Child placement agency
2. • The department
3. • Investigator

1. • Family medical and social history, including any known disorders
2. • Developmental history
3. • Racial, ethnic, and religious background
4. • Prior and existing relationships

1. • Family medical and social history
2. • General physical description

1. • Suitability of home
2. • Emotional maturity
3. • Finances
4. • Health
5. • Relationships
6. • Criminal background check
7. • History of child abuse and neglect

© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.

If you are an adoption professional and have updated information for this portion of our site let us know by contacting us at 1-800-ADOPTION or e-mail us at editors@americanadoptions.com.