Do you need permission from the biological father for adoption to take place?

Heather B

100% Yes!

tish

legally, yes.

however, many agencies are clever about getting around it by suggesting to the young woman that she should state: 1) she doesn't know who the father is, 2) the father is abusive, 3) the father in incarcerated, 4) the father is married to another woman and wishes to have no dealings with the child, 4) and on and on...

and many young women, sorry to say, lie about the identity of the father just to expedite the adoption, or because doesn't want him involved for some reason or another. although i support a woman's reproductive choice, i do think that the father should be involved in the adoption.

--------------------------------------...
and if the fdad does give a sh!t, he's told about how he could go to jail if he defaults on $.01 of child-support; and how he'll grow to resent the mom and baby because he'll miss out on college and youth and have to work 3-4 jobs just to buy diapers...

so. yes, legally they have to inform the fdad. yet, many adoption agencies are very slick at either scaring the hell out of him; or demonizing him.

basically, fathers are the antithesis of successful adoption. and his presence is merely an annoyance, especially if he's ambivalent about the adoption.

Lillie

Consider if the situation were reversed, and the father had custody and wanted his new wife to adopt. Would you want to be able to give your permission?

My guess is probably you would.

sunny

Do they have 50% of his DNA?

Yup.

mlassi65

It should be required. Why are father's rights ignored.

Laurel J

Only if you want to sleep at night.

grapesgum

Ethically? Yes.

Legally? Hmm - as you can see from some of the answers here from experienced adoptive parents, agencies and lawyers can be very unethical about getting around the law when it comes to the rights of fathers. The general advice seems to be that to get a child, it is okay to just to "go ahead with the adoption plan" and try to screw the father.

The children not having his surname means nothing. The mother never having married him means nothing. One does not have to be married to be a father.

The lack of contact may be leverage as long as there is evidence that the father was actually offered contact. In some cases, the child is hidden from the father or the father does not even know that he is a father.

If are seeking to adopt children without getting permission of the biological father, start preparing your answers to the children when they are older and want to know why their biological father was cut out of their lives. It could happen.

Jenny

Yes, I believe all states require this.

Connie A

Yes you do.

Betsy

Morally, absolutely!! Legally, I woudl think yes you would as well.

janna w

Yes he has to relinquish rights

beaut

Yes you do, My sons Bio father never met him or had anything to do with him, my husband has since adopted him but the bio dad still had to be asked! My social worker sayes even if he sayes no he wouldn't stand a chance as he has never had contact xx

JOJO

yes you do because i was wanting my new husband to adopt my son from previous relationship,and you need written consent from the biological parent.

Mom of two

It varies by state. The folks who are handling the legal side of the adoption are the best ones to ask. Morally, he should give permission. If the father is listed on the birth certificate, it makes things much more difficult regardless of the state law. It is always best (on both the adoptive and birth parent side) to make sure the birth father is aware of the pregnancy and legally terminates his rights. Many states also allow an unmarried father to terminate his rights BEFORE the baby is born (birth mothers can not sign a legally enforceable agreement before the baby comes).

fruitcake

in Britain if the father is not an active part in the childs life or on the birth certificate then no you do not

monty

Yes you do the adoption agency will contact him.

Freckle Face

yes. With one of our adoptions that fell thru the birthfather was in jail for 25 yrs to life and wouldn't sign his rights away. We were told it would be hard but there was a good chance we MIGHT be able to involuntarily terminate his rights. The birthmother changed her mind because the birthfather was threatening to have her declared as an unfit mother and take all of her children away. So yes, its pretty important that the biological father signs his rights away too. GL
In Wisconsin.

Natalie W

yes dont you think the father has a right any way

Annie C

yes if the father is named on the birth certificate

david f

in the uk if she was never married to the father then technically no she doesnt. however, social services will try and contact him anyway as they still believe he has the right to know. if they also cannot get in touch with him then this will be in their court report. even if thisa happens they still might not make an adoption order if they dont think it is necessarily in the childs best interest. they may however make a parental responsibility order, giving the stepfather parental rights and responsibilities. however unlike an adoption order this can still be revoked at a later date if the biological father wants contact. would strongly recommend getting legal advice as this is a very complicated area.

biffieboybaby

if you have a conscience you should give him the chance to bring up his child or maybe his mother,the child has the right to it's real father it's not your choice really think of the child unless he was a rapist or some kind of monster,

niomi24

absolutely! He still has rights even though he's not around!

MRS D

yes u do

Bunny

yes as legally he is father, in this situation if the mother died hewould be legal guardian and children could be returned to him so adoption is important

Ollie

I would go & ask ctizens advice.Good Luck

who me?

If you are in the UK:

Is he named on the birth certificate? Is he paying child support?
If answer to both is "no" then theoretically you can just say "father unknown" and leave him out of the equation.

Take legal advice, rather than asking vague woolly questions of a bunch of strangers. Most solicitors will give a 30min consultation free. Take the mother with you and make sure that between you you know the answers to all the obvious questions (the ones above, plus where is bio father, etc)

Macum

Is he named on birth certificate?

then absolutely

Courtney's mummy

I think that if his name is down on the birth certificate as the father then permission is needed. If he cant be found or refuses it can go to family court and the judge will decide what is best for the children

Bridget S

They assume consent when they can't contact him, or he is contacted and doesn't care.

yes you do speak to children's services (social care)

JoeDad

you have no soul.

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