Get Iowa Adult Adoption Forms

There is no cost to you be a foster parent, or to adopt a child from the Iowa foster care system. Orientation, training, licensing and support services are free to families and funded through the Iowa Department of Human Services.

Public case documents can be viewed on a public access terminal at the courthouse in the county where the case was filed. Can't access or log into Iowa Courts Online? Contact the Technical Help Desk at support@iowacourts.gov or 1-800-831-1396, Monday - Friday 7 AM - 5 PM except holidays.

In Iowa, this law states that unmarried adults and married couples jointly, over the age of 18, are eligible to adopt. While nearly any adult may be eligible to adopt in Iowa, most adoptive families will need a valid, approved home study before they can be matched with an adoption opportunity.

determining the noncustodial parent's role and involvement with the child. obtaining consents from the noncustodial parent or filing an action to terminate his or her parental rights, if necessary. filing an adoption petition with the court. arranging a court hearing to legally complete the stepparent adoption process.

A “motion to quash” is a request to the court to end enforcement of a court order or declare the order invalid. Sometimes parties desire to quash an injunction, subpoena, guilty plea, garnishment, or order for mandatory income withholding that has been filed against the person.

Prospective Birth Parents Decide that adoption is right for you. Contact an adoption agency or adoption attorney. Create an adoption plan. Find adoptive parents. Get to know the adoptive parents through pre-placement contact. After birth, consent to the adoption and termination of your parental rights.

If you are adopting an adult, you need to file the adoption petition with the state court located in the county where the adult who is being adopted lives (or is domiciled). If you are adopting a minor, you can file the adoption petition in the county where you live or where the child lives. Iowa Code section 600.3.

The adoptive family will need to complete three post placement visits with an agency or certified investigator. These occur typically one three and five months after placement. Once the child has been with the parents for 180 days, the adoptive parents and the child will attend a finalization hearing in court.