ICPC State Pages

Rhode Island Termination of Parental Rights (TPR)

Home study for adoption conducted prior to Termination of Parental Rights (TPR):

• No

Home study for relatives conducted prior to Termination of Parental Rights (TPR):

• No

After TPR, relatives are no longer relatives and a foster care or adoptive home study must be requested:

• No

Relative Home Study

Define Relative:

• Relative is defined as stepparent, grandparent, great grandparent, great-great grandparent, aunt, great aunt, great-great aunt, uncle, great-uncle, great-great uncle, sister, brother, stepbrother, stepsister, half-brother, half-sister, first cousin, first cousin once removed, niece, great niece, great-great niece, nephew, great nephew or great-great nephew.

Relatives must be licensed:

• Yes

Proof of Paternity is required:

• Yes: Father's name appears on the child’s birth certificate, if the father has admitted paternity in a court of proper jurisdiction, or if the father has signed an affidavit for DCYF or DHS.

Rhode Island considers the following types and degrees of relation as relative placements. Individuals related in the 1st degree, 2nd degree, 3rd degree and 4th degree (You may need to refer to your state's consanguinity chart or state statute to determine relations or relative status.):

• 1st Degree (mother, father, sister, brother, son, daughter)
• 2nd Degree (grandmother, grandfather, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, first cousin)
• 3rd Degree (great grandmother, great grandfather, great aunt, great uncle, grand-niece, grand nephew, second cousin)
• 4th Degree (great, great-grandmother, great, great-grandfather, great, great aunt, great, great aunt, great, great uncle, great grand-niece, great grand nephew, third cousin)
• Godmother, Godfather
• Other