Alaska Adoption Laws, Page 3

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Consent Laws

Who Must Consent to an Adoption

Statute: § 25.23.040

• The mother
  
• The father if married to the mother
  
• The father by adoption, or otherwise legitimized
  
• Any person lawfully entitled to custody or consent
  
• The court
  
• The spouse of a minor

Age When Consent of Adoptee is Considered or Required

Statute: § 25.23.040

• A child 10 years of age or older must consent to the adoption, unless the court in the child's best interest dispenses with consent.
  
• An adult to be adopted must consent.

When Parental Consent is not Needed

• A parent has:
  
  • Abandoned the child
    
  • Failed to communicate with or support the child
    
  • Had rights terminated
    
  • Been declared incompetent
    
  • The child is 19 years of age or older.

When Consent Can Be Executed

Statute: § 25.23.060

• May be executed any time after the child's birth

How Consent Must Be Executed

Statute: § 25.23.060

• Consent is executed:
  
  • Before the court
    
  • Before a person authorized to take acknowledgments

Revocation of Consent

• Consent may be withdrawn before the entry of the adoption decree for any reason within 10 days of executing consent.
  
• After the 10-day period, the court must find withdrawal of consent to be in the child's best interest.
  
• Consent to adoption may not be withdrawn after the entry of a decree of adoption.
  

Credits: Child Welfare Information Gateway (http://www.childwelfare.gov)

Dove Adoptions Int'l

Dedicated to seeking the best wel- fare for the children of the world.

www.adoptions.net

Wanting to Adopt?

Helping build families since 1962. Christian Homes & Family Services.

www.christianhomes.com

Adoption Disruption Help

Transitions Group Home Out-of-home placement and counseling

www.transitionsgrouphome.com