So what if you are adopting your child from another state? Previous blogs have talked about how your visits and placement will go, but when interstate adoption is involved, things will progress differently.

Before you schedule a visit with your child, be sure to clarify whether this a pre-placement visit, or if this is simply to see if this a potential match. You do not want to go thinking that this child is going to be placed with you, only to find out that you are one of several families being considered.

You will also want to clarify other details.

Where will you be staying?

How long is the visit intended to be?

Who is paying for transportation?

If you are paying, are the costs reimbursable?

How much time during the visit will you actually spend with your child?

Will the visit take place in the foster home, in a neutral location, or where you are staying?

Which family members are recommended to come along?

How many visits will be required before you are able to bring your child home?

Once you are in the child’s home state, some things you may want to do are:

If the child is in school, visit the classroom and speak with the teacher.

Visit with medical professionals. Pediatrician, therapist, psychiatrist (if applicable).

If there will be contact with birth family members, arrange a visit with them.

Meet the child’s friends.

Meet any other caregivers, such as day care providers.

Give the child a disposable camera, and control over the pictures taken.

Since you will likely be staying in a hotel, be sure that your child understands that this is not where you live, or what your "normal" life is like. This may sound silly, but I have talked with parents whose child thought that their new adoptive parents did in fact live in a hotel.

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