Guidelines for Implementing the Indian Child Welfare Act

This notice announces the availability of the Department's new Guidelines for Implementing the Indian Child Welfare Act. These guidelines are intended to assist those involved in child custody proceedings in understanding and uniformly applying the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and the Department's regulations. All such parties-- including the courts, State child welfare agencies, private adoption agencies, Tribes, and family members--have a stake in ensuring the proper implementation of this important Federal law designed to protect Indian children, their parents, and Indian tribes.