An adult who resides in Rhode Island, a married couple jointly, or a nonresident who adopts a child who has been in a child-placing agency’s custody.
Can adoptive parents advertise for birth parents? No.
Can out-of-state residents finalize an adoption? Yes.
Can adopting parents use an adoption facilitator or another paid intermediary? Not addressed in state statutes.
What birth parent expenses may be paid, and in what time period? Not addressed in state statutes.
Is there a putative father registry? No.
When can consent to adoption be granted? Agency adoption: 15 days after birth; private adoption: after termination of parental rights (in practice about 6 months).
When does consent become irrevocable? If consent is revoked, is return to birth parent automatic? 180 days after decree is entered, unless mitigating circumstances filed by court. In practice, return automatic.
Are post-adoption contact agreements legally enforceable? Yes, birth parents and adoptive parents may file a petition with the court.
Is a foreign adoption decree automatically recognized by the state? Not addressed in state statutes.
Can parents readopt in this state? Is it mandatory? Not addressed in state statutes.
When will a U.S. birth certificate be issued? The State Registrar will issue a certificate of foreign birth upon receipt of an adoption report from the court that decreed the adoption, proof of the child’s date and place of birth, and a request from the court, the adoptive parents, or the adopted person if s/he is 18 years or older.
Are adoption subsidies available? When do they start and how long do they last? Yes, subsidies are available for a special needs child, who is defined as having at least one of the following: 9 years or older, member of a minority ethnic or racial group, member of a sibling group of 2 or more children being placed together, has a documented or is at high-risk of developing a physical, emotional, mental, or medical condition, or has experienced an incomplete adoption. Adoption subsidies begin at adoption finalization.
Where can I learn more about the process of adopting a child from foster care in Rhode Island? http://www.dcyf.ri.gov/adoption.php
Program Manager: Diane Savage
101 Friendship Street, 4th Floor
DISCLAIMER: The state laws and policies outlined above are offered to readers only for general information and do not constitute legal advice. Furthermore, the state laws were accurate at the time of compilation, but The Current Initiative cannot guarantee that there have been no subsequent changes or revisions to the laws. Please do not rely on the information above without first consulting an adoption attorney licensed in your state. Updated in November 2014.
(Source: https://www.adoptivefamilies.com/how-to-adopt/rhode-island-adoption-laws-and-policies/)