ARSD 67:14:32:08. General qualifications for adoptive applicants

To qualify as an adoptive applicant: (1) The applicant must be at least nineteen years of age and reside in South Dakota; (2) No member of the applicant's household who is eighteen years of age or older, other than a child placed in the home for foster care, may have on record a substantiated report of child abuse or neglect; (3) No member of the applicant's household may have a conviction for any crime specified in § 67:14:32:05.05; (4) The applicant must have income to meet the needs of the applicant's existing family and to support, care for, and educate an adopted child; (5) The applicant's children, if any, must be willing to accept an adopted child as a member of the family; (6) The applicant's family composition, needs, and relationships may not adversely affect an adopted child; (7) The applicant must have the ability to parent an adopted child, which includes a basic understanding of the child's physical and mental or emotional development and the ability to fulfill the child's needs; (8) The applicant must have the ability to offer continuing care and guidance to an adopted child throughout the stages of the child's development in a manner consistent with the social and cultural heritage norms of the child; (9) The applicant must be able to continue meeting the needs of the applicant's own children, if any; and (10) The applicant must display the capacity to provide good care a child. The department may require a psychological evaluation and the submission of medical records if questions arise during the application process regarding the applicant's emotional stability or the emotional stability of another household member.