Adoption is a serious process where an individual or couple seeks to add a child to their family. Consent is an extremely important portion of the adoption application for a child in foster care, especially if they are pre-teens or teenagers. Our Hawai’i adoptions attorneys at Smith & Sturdivant, LLLC share if your child needs to consent to their adoption.
Who Needs to Consent to An Adoption?
When pursuing adoption, you will need to gain the consent of responsible parties before you can legally adopt the child.
For an adoption to be valid, the following individuals must consent to the adoption in writing:
- The mother and father of the child,
- The individual with legal custody of the child,
- The court involved with the adoption, and
- In certain cases, the child.
It varies case by case on who exactly needs to consent to the child’s adoption, especially if the child is in the foster care system or their parents have been stripped of their parental rights.
What is the Age of Consent for Adoptive Children?
If the child you are adopting is ten years old or older, they will need to consent to the adoption in writing. This must be done before the adoption is finalized, and if the child does not provide written consent for the adoption, the adoption cannot go through.
Smith & Sturdivant, LLLC Adoptions Attorneys
Adopting a child is a wonderful experience as you grow your family. If you are adopting an older child, it is important to ensure they are comfortable with joining your family before the adoption is finalized. Our adoption attorneys can help guide you through the process as your newest family member legally becomes your child.
Are you adopting a teenager and unsure of what to do? Schedule a consultation with our adoption attorneys today by calling (808) 201-3898 to learn more about how we can help you grow your family through adoption.