It is important that you understand your state laws on child adoption or that you contact someone qualified such a licensed child adoption agency to learn about the rights of everyone involved. What you do not know can hurt you.

Birth Mother and Birth Father Legal Rights

Your rights as a birth mother, just like the legal rights of the birth father, are protected in every U.S. state and territory. One of the most important legal rights has to do with the ending of parental rights. This ending of parental rights, called termination, surrender, or relinquishment of parental rights, ends the legal parent-child relationship. These parental rights can be ended voluntarily or involuntarily. Once the relationship has been terminated, the child is legally free to be adopted.

Due to the seriousness and long-term impact of the decision to permanently end the parental rights of the birth mother and birth father, courts have stringent requirements that must be met prior to making this decision. The links Birth mother's legal rights and birth father's legal rights will help you to find the requirements for the termination of parental rights of any state as well as other rights of a birth mother and birth father.

Grandparents

Many states have laws related to the child's grandparents' legal rights even if the child is being placed for adoption. It is important for a birth mother, birth father, and the child's grandparent to be aware of these rights and other issues related to being a biological grandparent.

Infant Safe Havens

Laws exist in many states to address infant abandonment and infanticide. These infant safe havens laws have been established as an incentive for a birth mother in crisis to safely relinquish her child to a safe haven where the baby will be protected and provided with medical care until a permanent home can be found.

The Child Adoption Law of Every State

The child adoption laws in the birth parent's state of residence and the adopting family's state of residence must be followed in a child adoption. Your child adoption agency will help you with the child adoption laws and procedures that must be followed