Wisconsin Adoption Laws, Page 4

Parties to Adoption

Who May Adopt
Citation: 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)