Who May Adopt, Be Adopted, or Place a Child for Adoption - Indiana

Who May Adopt

Citation: Ann. Code §§ 31-19-2-2; 31-19-2-3; 31-19-2-4

The following persons may adopt:

• A resident of Indiana may adopt.
• A nonresident may adopt a hard-to-place child.

A husband and wife must petition jointly, unless the spouse is married to the biological or adoptive mother or father of the child.

Who May Be Adopted

Citation: Ann. Code §§ 31-19-2-2; 31-19-2-1

The following persons may be adopted:

• A child younger than age 18
• A person age 18 or older who consents to his or her adoption by a resident of Indiana

Who May Place a Child for Adoption

Citation: Ann. Code § 31-19-7-1

A child may not be placed in a proposed adoptive home without the prior written approval of a licensed child-placing agency or local office approved for that purpose by the Department of Child Services.