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Text: 617-777-0072
Choosing adoption for your baby is a positive, loving choice. It means placing your child’s needs before your own. It also means choosing a fresh start for your own life, while knowing that your child is safe, healthy, and loved. If you are living in Alabama and considering this path, you may be curious about Alabama adoption laws. You have come to the right place.
Adoption laws vary by state. The adoption laws in Alabama may not match the adoption laws of nearby states. For this reason, it is helpful to have an Alabama adoption agency guide you through the process. Choosing to work with an adoption agency in Alabama means having access to a team of adoption attorneys. These professionals understand the adoption laws in Alabama and ensure that each adoption is carried out safely and smoothly.
If you want to learn more about Alabama adoption laws, read on. In this short guide, we will share what to know before you begin the Alabama adoption process.
Who Can Adopt in Alabama?
Every responsible, healthy adult is eligible to adopt a child in Alabama. Whether a resident is single or married, they may adopt. Married couples must adopt jointly. There are no restrictions on same-sex adoption anywhere in the U.S., including Alabama. A single adult looking to adopt may not be denied the right to adopt based solely on age, marital status, or working outside the home.
Prospective adoptive parents must complete the Home Study to adopt a child. This process, which takes several months to complete, ensures that each child is placed in a safe, stable, and loving home. The Home Study includes a thorough background check and screening process. It also includes several at-home visits and interviews conducted by the adoption professional. Adoption agencies also review important medical and financial records as a part of the Home Study. With the Home Study, expectant/birth parents can rest assured that their child will be placed with an adoptive family that is healthy enough – physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially – to raise a child.
Who Can Be Adopted in Alabama?
Any minor child whose parental rights have been terminated may be adopted in Alabama. Adults who are permanently disabled or have diminished mental capacity may also be adopted. A child over the age of 14 may be adopted but must consent to the adoption if they have the mental capacity to do so.
What About Consent to Adoption in Alabama?
According to Alabama adoption laws, birth fathers may consent to adoption at any time – before or after the birth of their child. The birth mother must also give consent; she can sign any time after the birth of the baby. Birth father consent is typically handled on a case-by-case basis. It is best to consult your Alabama adoption agency about your relationship with the birth father to best understand whether consent is needed by the birth father.
Consent to adoption must be given in writing, signed and witnessed by a judge or notary public.
Consent may be withdrawn within five days of the birth of the child or within five days of signing consent, whichever comes first.
While there is a small revocation window, it is best to sign consent once you are certain that it is the right decision for you and your child. The best adoption agencies in Alabama will urge you to take as much time as they need before consenting to the adoption. It is never too late to make an adoption plan.
Alabama Adoption Laws for Birth Parent Expenses
As an expectant/birth parent, you have the right to supportive services and financial assistance for expenses that are impacted by the pregnancy and birth. This includes:
- Adoption agency services
- Counseling support
- Legal support
- Living expenses
- Medical care
At Adoptions With Love, expectant/birth parents choosing adoption receive financial support to help alleviate the financial burden that comes with an unplanned pregnancy. We can help cover a deposit and several months of rent, utilities, phone bills, and even maternity clothes, as needed.
We can also help you find a doctor or midwife with whom you feel comfortable, and cover any uninsured medical expenses related to the pregnancy and birth, as needed.
Our team of compassionate counselors is available before and after the adoption is complete. These professionals are available 24/7 and can help you navigate the emotional journey of adoption.
If you choose to place your baby for adoption in Alabama, our team of adoption attorneys can help you understand your rights as a birth parent and ensure that your child’s adoption is carried out smoothly and safely.
With a team of adoption professionals, you can custom design an adoption plan that meets your needs and even choose the adoptive parents that make you feel most comfortable with – and confident in – your decision. Beyond adoption, we offer ongoing support for years to come.
Learn More About Adoption Laws in Alabama
If you would like to learn even more about adoption laws in Alabama, contact Adoptions With Love today. Call 800-722-7731, text (confidentially) 617-777-0072, or reach out online. We can help you lovingly make an adoption plan and support you – every step of the way.