Wisconsin Adoption Laws, Page 4
Parties to Adoption
Who May AdoptCitation: Ann. Stat. § 48.82
The following State residents are eligible to adopt:
- A husband and wife jointly
- A stepparent
- An unmarried adult
Who May Be Adopted
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 48.81
Any child present in the State may be adopted if any of the following criteria are met:
- Both of the child’s parents are deceased.
- The parental rights of both of the child’s parents have been terminated.
- The parental rights of one of the child’s parents have been terminated and the child’s other parent is deceased.
- The person filing the petition for adoption is the spouse of the child’s parent with whom the child and the child’s parent reside and either of the following applies:
- The child’s other parent is deceased.
- The parental rights of the child’s other parent with respect to the child have been terminated.
Who May Place a Child for Adoption
Citation: Ann. Stat. §§ 48.837; 48.833
The child may be placed for adoption by the following:
- A parent having custody of the child
- The department
- A licensed child-placing agency
Credits: Child Welfare Information Gateway (http://www.childwelfare.gov)
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