North Dakota Adoptions Move Faster as 26 Kids Wait
Families in North Dakota considering adoption can now expect shorter home assessments and finalization timelines.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Child Care
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Catholic Charities North Dakota marked National Adoption Month in November 2026 as the North Dakota Adoption Network recruits permanent families for 26 children in state foster care. The state's public adoption system has seen faster processing and 222 finalized adoptions so far in 2026.
Why it matters
Families considering adoption in North Dakota are being asked to step forward now, and the state reports that the adoption process itself has become substantially quicker. The state's adoption redesign initiative, launched in 2024, targets the delays that once kept children waiting in foster care longer than necessary.
These figures come from North Dakota HHS reporting on its public adoption system, comparing processing times before and after the 2024 redesign initiative. The 2026 finalized-adoption count of 222 is a year-to-date figure, and the source does not provide a formal study design or independent review.
The players
Catholic Charities North Dakota
A faith-based social service organization that supports adoption and family services through the North Dakota Adoption Network and Strong Roots Bright Futures programs.
North Dakota Adoption Network
A statewide adoption recruitment program that connects waiting children in foster care with permanent families.
Kelly Armstrong
The governor of North Dakota, who proclaimed November 2026 Adoption Awareness Month in the state.
The details
The adoption redesign initiative targets the administrative steps that slow placement, such as the home assessment that prospective families must complete before a child can be placed with them. Shortening that assessment from 77 days to 42 days means families can move through the process sooner, and fewer children wait while paperwork is pending. The state also reports that it kept no waitlists for adoption services during fiscal year 2026, meaning families were not placed in queue for available services.
Timeline
2024: North Dakota HHS launched its adoption redesign initiative.
Fiscal year 2026: The state maintained no waitlists for adoption services.
November 2026: National Adoption Month was recognized, and Gov. Kelly Armstrong proclaimed Adoption Awareness Month in North Dakota.
Health Landscape
The 2024 adoption redesign initiative launched by North Dakota HHS is the state's current effort to speed the administrative steps that delay placement. Its reported 2026 results, including shorter home assessments and no waitlists, show how process reform is being used to shorten time spent in foster care.
Families who have wondered about adoption can contact the North Dakota Adoption Network to learn about the children waiting for permanent homes. Free adoptive family photo sessions are offered in Minot, Bismarck, Dickinson and Grand Forks, and the state's shorter timelines may make the process more predictable for those who begin it.
The takeaway
Adoption in North Dakota is moving faster than it was a few years ago, which may shorten the time children spend waiting in foster care. Anyone interested in adopting can start by contacting the North Dakota Adoption Network to learn about the steps involved.
Further reading
For more on the services families rely on while raising children, explore Child Care coverage across the state.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Minot Daily News.
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