Do I need the father's consent to give a baby up for adoption?

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buttaflydreamz	I am currently pregnant and have a couple ready to adopt. The father knows about the pregnancy but wants nothing to do with it, and we have no more contact. He lives a couple of states away. I have since decided on the adoption but he doesn't know about it. But since he doesn't want anything to do with the baby, even denied it was his, we are going forth. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

BPD Wife	YES! Both parents have a say in placing a child for adoption. If you do not know who the father is or if you cannot locate the father, there are steps to have his rights terminated without his "consent" but you will need to make sure that it is done legally and I would suggest contacting an attorney or adoption agency to insure that everything is done correctly. Good luck to you. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Kayla	Yes unless you were raped then the answer is no...Best of luck to you! I have given a baby up for adoption and it is not easy but the best thing for the child if you are unable to care for the child..BTW my biological child is now 22 and is in contact with my family! Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

StacieG	Yes, you do. If you don't have it, you will likely not even be able to go through the process...and if you do go through the process somehow, think about how the adoptive couple would feel three years down the road when the bio father comes calling and asking for custody of the child. Not a good scenario for anyone! Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

ponytails07	For most states you do. You can call a lawyer or maybe even look online to make sure. You may even need to do a dna test so be prepared for that. I do believe that he can sign all the papers before you deliver-if that is the case and you havent delivered yet. I don't think he needs to see or meet this child before signing his rights away. If your relationship did not end amicably(I am assuming it ended) then make sure someone is with you or have an attorney send him the papers. You probably dont need the accusations, name calling and whatever else at this time. Best of luck to you-I was adopted myself and have only the highest respect for those moms who are unselfish enough to send their child on to a better life. I am now lucky enough to be in the opposite role and have adopted one older child and am looking for a sister or brother (or two or three) to add to our family! So it comes full circle. Take care of yourself and cover your butt when it comes to the paperwork! Sheri Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

mike1942f	Depends on the state and on parental rights laws in each states. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

schneidmanbabe 09	Yes u do even if the father denies paternity they need to be consented or they can contest the adoption and make it miserable for u and the new parents. if the babies father is contesting he is the father, tell him u will have a dna done on the child when it is born but that u have intentions to put the baby up for adoption and u want him to sign the papers and i am sure he will do it... Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

carolinagal75	yes Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Sajiko	yes... Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Peace Yo	Legally, it depends on the state. Most states require the father's permission and if he can't be located for notification then there are legal channels that you will have to take like putting notices in papers or putting his name on a list to attempt to publicly notify him,..again, depending on the laws in your state. Then, if he can not be located and notified, you can show proof that you made the necessary legal attempts to notify him and the court can terminate his rights in absentia. Ethically, you must notify him if at all possible, in my opinion. It's unfair to him and the child if you do not. You might be surprised to learn that many fathers are willing to step up and parent their children if the mother of child is wanting to relinquish their parental rights. If you do not make a thorough attempt to notify him it may cause huge problems for everyone involved, especially the child. What if you placed that child with an adoptive family, they begin to bond with that child, he/she begins to bond with this family and then the father finds out and contests the adoption? I strongly urge you to do what is right for everyone before that child is born. All my best to you. I know this is a very difficult time. I hope you have friends, family or at least a good counselor to talk to. You need support while you contemplate such a life changing decision for you and your child. Take care of yourself. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

tink24mls	Depends on the laws in your state. Check that out. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Michelle	It depends on what state it is, hope everything works out okay for you Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

mimahairball48	yes you do. but if by some chance "hint hint" you dont know who the father is only your signature is needed Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Darkskinnyboy	Yes, you have to have father's consent to give up a bably for adoption because both father and mother have to do couple things and if it's affecting a another person. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Doodlestuff	Yes, unless he's dead or a judge strips his rights for cause. He can overturn the adoption because he has every right to parent his child as well as you. If he cannot be found, some states have laws that address this. Consider the adoptive parents as well. Do you really want to put them into a situation where they love and care for an infant and then have the infant taken from them 6 months down the road because you lied? I know 2 instances where the fathers didn't even know about the babies, found out, and got their babies back. Those babies have now graduated from high school. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

dreamer	yes. i think it matters a lot. he mite be feeling differently then u. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Still Me	Yes. Or, you will have to have him served, and wait for him to respond to the serve. If he does not, then his rights can be terminated without his consent. But please, remember this: If you give false information about the birthfather, it is a felony. Even more important, it can totally tear apart your child's life, and the lives of innocent adoptive parents. Get legal advice from a licensed adoption agency. You need to protect your rights. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

dragonfly9151974	Yes. It is possible that he will want to take care of the baby himself. You can sign away your parental rights, if you feel that you are unable to take responsibility for the baby, even if he chooses not to. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

itchianna	Yes, but the mother does not have to gain consent. The agency or Lawyer must do a diligent search for all listed possible fathers and they must relinquish their rights. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

♥☆★=^.^=☆★♥	Yes, The baby's his too and he also has a say in the matter, Don't be selfish and make sure you make the right choice. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

eve	yes, you certainly do. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

KatyCat	Yes you do. It is his baby too so he should get a say. I mean if you want to give the baby up but he doesnt then maybe you should let him raise the baby. I mean if he would be a responsible parent and would be able to take care of the baby. Good Luck and God Bless! Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

grapesgum	Yes. Duh! But there are plenty of adoption laywers who will try to get around the father's consent to make a buck. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Ashley B	It matters what state you live in, i know that in connecticut you need the fathers consent. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Prodigy556	Yes you do. It is not only unfair to the father(not telling him), but also unfair to the adoptive parents, as he[the father] can contest the adoption after the child is placed, since he never gave up his parental rights. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

painrmpb	yes, because he may want to take care of the child. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

army_engineers_wife	yes you do....Both parents have to give consent.... Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

gone!	If the father knows about the baby. YES. If he doesn't know you have his baby maybe you should tell him. and give him the option of raising his child himself or his family. don't do this without serious thought. your child will always wonder WHY you gave her/him up. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

rooster_cruzer	yes Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

fluke	you sure do. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

tigerlilyinparis	I think it's only fair that you do that, because the baby is his too. Unless he can't support it and don't want to take of it, then you can give it up. Give him a chance. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No