Related Words

Adoption Petition: The legal document through which prospective parents request the court's permission to adopt a specific child.

De Facto Adoption: A legal agreement to adopt a child according to the laws of a particular state which will result in a legal adoption process once the adoption petition is filed with the appropriate court: a . . . View Full Definition

Legal Risk Adoption: An adoption proceeding that is started even though the prospective adoptive family cannot be guaranteed that the child is eligible for adoption.

Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance (ICAMA): An agreement between member states that governs the interstate delivery of and payment for medical services and adoption assistance payments/subsidies for adopted children with special needs . . . View Full Definition

Interspecific Competition: Condition in which one species' exploitation of a limiting resource negatively affects another species

Non-Recurring Adoption Costs: One time adoption expenses, which may be at least partially reimbursed by states up to a maximum amount to families adopting children with special needs. Allowable expenses for this reimburs . . . View Full Definition

Orphan (international adoption definition): For immigration purposes, a child under the age of 16: • whose parents have died or disappeared • who has been abandoned or otherwise separated from both parents • whose sole surviving paren . . . View Full Definition

Open Adoption: An adoption process in which birth parents meet and know · the adoptive parent(s). Ongoing contact could range from periodic pictures and letters to regular visits.

International Adoption: Adoption of a child born outside of the United States.

Intercountry or International Adoption: The adoption of a child who is a citizen of one country by adoptive parents who are citizens of a different country.