A federal law enforcement agency may be required to commence administrative forfeiture proceedings by sending written notice "not more than 90 days after the date of seizure by the state or local law enforcement agency." In order to allow ample time for federal agencies to process adoptive seizures, state and local agencies must request federal adoption within 30 calendar days of seizure. Any waiver of the 30-day rule must be approved in writing by a supervisory-level official of the adopting agency where the state or local agency requesting adoption demonstrates the existence of circumstances justifying the delay. See Chapter 1 of the Asset Forfeiture Policy Manual.

[updated May 2010]