1. Adoption

2. Who can Adopt?
Adults
Is there an age limit?
May singles adopt?

3. Who may be adopted? Minors Adults Totally or permanently disabled
Mentally retarded
Adult consents in writing must be related by marriage.
Adopting parents are husband and wife.

4. Who must Consent? Mother Presumed father
Putative father who is on father’s registry
Agency with custody
Adoptee 14 or older
Adult adoptee under special statute

5. Implied Consent Abandonment for 6 months
Leaving child without identification 30 days.
Leaving child with others without maintaining parental relationship 6 months.
Failure to answer adoption petition
Minor father by his actions

6. Prebirth Consent Mother must go before Probate Judge
Consent must be on special form
Fathers consent may be notarized
Minor mother must have G.A.L.
14 and older may nominate G.A.L.

7. Withdrawal of release Anytime before birth or
Within 5 days after birth
Within 14 days afterbirth with cause

8. Investigation of Adopting Parents
Pre-placement- Up to 24 months before adoption
Post placement within 45 days after placement
May be waived (rare)

9. Necessary Parties Adopting parties Birth parents Child Probate Judge
Lawyer
Guardian ad Litem
Department of Human Services or
Licensed Child Placing Agency

10. Birth Records Birth certificate Non-identifying records
Intermediary
Court release

11. Putative Father Registry
Man may request DHR to be placed on Registry
Before birth
Within 30 days after birth

12. Adoption Process/ Sample Forms
Pre-placement DHR investigation <24 months
Fees held in escrow until approved
Petition filled in Probate Office
Consent of parents
G.A.L. appointed
Health facility release (if child leaves hospital with non parent))
Parent affidavit concerning receiving funds
Adopting parents affidavit concerning any funds paid.
Interlocutory decree
Post placement DHR investigation <45 days
Report of adoption
Final decree
Adoption records
Identifying
Non identifying

13. Step Parent Adoption Petition of stepparent
Must have lived with child one year
Pre-placement investigation not required
Consent of Parent unless parental rights
Terminated
Adoption/biological parent

14. Step Parent Adoption Petition Consent Adoption order
Report of Adoption

15. Solo and Small Firm Section of the Alabama Bar.