In the fall of 2024, the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) mailed letters to parents who once had an open dependency and/or severance case.
Did you receive a letter? Visit the DCS letter page for more information.
Who may adopt in Arizona?
Any adult (age 18 or older) resident of Arizona, whether married, unmarried, widowed or legally separated is eligible to qualify to adopt children. A husband and wife may jointly adopt children.
For Arizona families wanting to adopt children living in a different state, an adoption referral must be sent from the Arizona ICPC (Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children) office to the state in which the child resides and a home study must be completed.
For out-of-state families wanting to adopt an Arizona child, the process is similar, however, the adoption referral needs to be initiated from the state ICPC office in which the family resides and sent to Arizona as the child is in the care, custody and control of Arizona.
In cases where there is an ICPC, families must receive approval thru their state ICPC office and, in some states, receive certification from the court to adopt. Arizona now provides families the option of finalizing ICPC adoptions either in Arizona or the state where the child is currently residing.
Response provided by the Arizona Department of Child Safety
Resources:
- Department of Child Safety - Adoption
- Arizona State Statute - A.R.S. § 8-103