Laws Related to Adoption
Federal legislation sets the framework for adoption in the United States, and States pass laws to comply with Federal requirements and become eligible for Federal funding. Thus, adoption is regulated by State laws, and these laws vary from State to State. Find resources in this section on laws related to both domestic and intercountry adoption.
Families by Law: An Adoption Reader
Cahn & Hollinger (Eds.) (2004)
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Explores the history of adoption laws in the United States and examines the role of laws in the adoption process, addressing foster care, parent consent, open adoption, access to adoption records, and the legal consequences of adoption.
The Law of Adoption
Jasper (2008)
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Presents an almanac of State and Federal laws governing adoption, including information on consent requirements, open adoption, adoption assistance, access to birth records, inheritance issues, and intercountry adoption.
A Legal History of Adoption and Ongoing Legal Challenges
Freundlich (2006)
In Handbook of Adoption: Implications for Researchers, Practitioners, and Families
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Examines major legal developments in adoption in the United States and the areas in which law continues to evolve, including interstate adoption activities, intercountry adoption, and the rights of nontraditional families to adopt. The chapter includes a legal history timeline.
Timeline of Adoption History
Adoption History Project
Presents a timeline of significant adoption-related laws and events from 1851 to present including the orphan trains and access to original birth certificates.