District of Columbia Adoption Laws Page1

District of Columbia Adoption Laws Page1

Adoption Laws in District of Columbia Page1

About adoption consent

  • For whom it is must to consent to adoption : Statute : - § 16-304

    • The court appointed guardian
    • Both parents, if living
    • Licensed child placing agency after parental rights termination

  • Age required of an adoptee to consent of adoptee: Statute : - § 16-304

    A child of age 14 years or more than that should provide a written consent to the adoption.

  • No need of parental consent: Statute: - § 16-304

    • When the parent has failed to support the child for the 6 months
    • When the parent has abandoned the child
    • When the parent has relinquished all rights to an agency
    • When the parent cannot be located

  • Execution of consent: Statute : - § 4-1406(b)

    • First the parent need to undergo counseling.
    • Within the first 72 hours after a child's birth, no relinquishment of rights can be made.

  • Consent execution is must: Statute : - § 16-304

    • Consent must be executed before a representative of a child-placing agency, officer authorized to take acknowledgments, or the Mayor's office.

  • Consent revocation : Statute : - § 4-1406(c)

    • A verified writing submitted to agency within 10 days, any voluntary relinquishment may be automatically revoked.

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