Tennessee Adoption Laws

Adoption Laws in Tennessee

Adoption Records Access

• Non-Identifying Information: To obtain non identifying information, an adopted adult must complete 18 years of age or older. A stepparents or legal parents, adoptive parents, birth parents and birth siblings may obtain the non identifying information.

• Identifying Information: An adopting person (must be completed 21 years of age or older), birth parents, birth siblings, adoptive parents, legal parents and descendants of adopted adults may obtain the adoption record copy with the original certificate of birth.

• Contact:
  Department of Children's Services
  Post Adoption Unit
  436 6th Avenue, NW
  8th Floor, Cordell Hull Building
  Nashville, Tennessee 37243-1290
  (615)532-5637

Consents

• Consent to an adoption shall be done by:
  Statute: - §- § 36-1-110; 36-1-111
  • A minor parent (under age 18) must have to give consent to adoption.
  • A guardian.
  • Parents of child

• Age Requirement for consideration of Adoptee Consent:
  Statute: - § 36-1-117
  • A minor parent (under age 18) must have to give consent to adoption.
  • A guardian may be appointed.
  • Parents of child can consent.

• When Consent is not required:
  Statute: - § 36-1-113
  • In case of unqualified parents.
  • The parent has abandoned or abused the child.
  • If parent failed to take care of child or he failed to complete the child's needs.

• Parental Consent can be executed:
  Statute: - § 36-1-111
  • Consent can be executed from the first day following the birth.
  • Three days waiting period is allowed by the court, if a valid reason is there.
  Page1 | Page2