Washington Adoption Laws

Adoption Laws in Washington

Adoption Records Access

• Non-Identifying Information :A person (birth parents, adoptive parents or/and adopted adult) of age eighteen or older are allowed to obtain non identifying information..

• Confidential Intermediary : Persons who are allowed to use the service of confidential intermediary system are listed below:
  • An adopted adult (completed 21 years of age or older); if under age 21 them must obtain permission from adoptive parents;
  • Birth grandparents;
  • Birth siblings.

• Birth Certificate (Original): To obtain certificate, an adopted adult must be of eighteen years of age or older. To receive photocopy of birth certificate, birth parents have to pay a fee of $15.00.

Consents

• Consent to an adoption shall be done by:
  Statute: - §- § 26.33.080; 26.33.160
  • A parent.
  • Any alleged father.
  • Guardian(legal).
  • An agency or department.

• Age Requirement for consideration of Adoptee Consent :
  Statute: - § 26.33.160
  An individual of fourteen years of age or older must consent to the adoption.

• When Consent is not required :
  Statute: - § 26.33.120
  • On termination of parental rights and failure of parental duties because of failure of the responsibilities of parents assumed.
  • If parent has abused or abandoned the child.

• Parental Consent can be executed :
  Statute: - §- § 26.33.090; 26.33.160
  • A Consent must be validated after 48 hours of signing or child's birth and approved by the Judge. You can drop the mail to the court clerk or consent can be executed out of the court provided the above condition.
  • For Indian child, signing is must at least 10 days after birth of child and recorded before a court of competent jurisdiction, according to U.S.C. - § 1913(a).
  Page1 | Page2