State Laws:
Unlicensed Paid Adoption Intermediaries

Laws regarding unlicensed paid adoption intermediaries vary greatly from state to state.

The majority of states prohibit anyone other than a licensed adoption agency or attorney from receiving payment for arranging an adoption or matching an expectant mother with adoptive parents.

32

Thirty-two states (plus D.C.) prohibit unlicensed paid adoption intermediaries.
Laws are not followed or enforced. Enforcement is needed.
Laws are not followed or enforced. Enforcement is needed.

2

Two states allow unlicensed paid adoption intermediaries.
Amended laws are needed.
Amended laws are needed.

3

Three states have unclear laws about unlicensed paid adoption intermediaries.
Amended laws are needed.
Amended laws are needed.

12

Twelve states have no laws about unlicensed paid adoption intermediaries.
No laws = No protection. New laws are needed.
No laws = No protection. New laws are needed.

2

Two states allow unlicensed paid adoption intermediaries but with restrictions.
Laws aren’t followed or enforced. Enforcement is needed.
Laws aren’t followed or enforced. Enforcement is needed.

 

 

 

 

Even in states where unlicensed intermediaries are prohibited, the laws are not followed or enforced.

This lapse has created an opportunity for unlicensed adoption intermediaries to get rich by acting as paid middlemen between expectant mothers considering adoption and families hoping to adopt. 

 

 

 

 

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Without proper regulation and oversight, pregnant women, adoptive families, and adopted children are deprived of essential support services and at risk for exploitation by profit-driven, unlicensed adoption intermediaries.

TAKE ACTION

Use our interactive maps to find out which states prohibit unlicensed adoption intermediaries,
and the AdoptChange Advocacy Toolkit to urge lawmakers to support pending legislation,
enforce existing laws, and create new ones where necessary.

Intermediary Laws Map (9.29.23)
Unlicensed Adoption Intermediary Laws
Alabama Alabama
Alaska Alaska
Arizona Arizona
Arkansas Arkansas
California California
Colorado Colorado
Connecticut Connecticut
Delaware Delaware
Florida Florida
Georgia Georgia
Hawaii Hawaii
Idaho Idaho
Illinois Illinois
Indiana Indiana
Iowa Iowa
Kansas Kansas
Kentucky Kentucky
Louisiana Louisiana
Maine Maine
Maryland Maryland
Massachusetts Massachusetts
Michigan Michigan
Minnesota Minnesota
Mississippi Mississippi
Missouri Missouri
Montana Montana
Nebraska Nebraska
Nevada Nevada
New Hampshire New Hampshire
New Jersey New Jersey
New Mexico New Mexico
New York New York
North Carolina North Carolina
North Dakota North Dakota
Ohio Ohio
Oklahoma Oklahoma
Oregon Oregon
Pennsylvania Pennsylvania
Rhode Island Rhode Island
South Carolina South Carolina
South Dakota South Dakota
Tennessee Tennessee
Texas Texas
Utah Utah
Vermont Vermont
Virginia Virginia
Washington Washington
West Virginia West Virginia
Wisconsin Wisconsin
Wyoming Wyoming
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