Can I place my baby for adoption without the father knowing?
Adoption and the processes that make a successful adoption possible can be overwhelming in itself. However, what happens when you add another layer of difficulty like the father’s consent?
Regardless of the situation, this can be a difficult reality to confront for many expecting mothers. However, the challenge should not deter the birth mother from seeking counsel with an adoption specialist or pursuing adoption. In fact, for many mothers, adoption may still be an option.
Stay tuned because we’re discussing the nuances of placing a baby with an adoptive family without the father’s consent.
Adoption Options Without Father’s Consent
Birth Mother Is Not Married
The fact is unplanned pregnancies do happen to people of all walks of life. Luckily, adoption does exist for those who aren’t prepared to become parents.
According to Texas adoption laws, birth mothers who are not married do NOT need the consent of the biological father.
Regardless, it is best practice is to notify the father of your adoption plans or allow the biological father the option to parent. However, in situations where you may not know who the father is or how to contact the father, this step may be overlooked.
In short, unmarried birth mothers do not need the consent of the biological father. Nevertheless, the birth mother should contact an adoption specialist to navigate placing a baby with an adoptive family without the father’s consent. In most cases, a specialist will be able to help contact the father or navigate whatever unique situation that arises.
Birth Mother Is Married
On the other hand, birth mothers who are married may have more hurdles to overcome in order to pursue adoption.
Under Texas adoption laws, biological or not, the birth mother’s spouse is presumed to be the father; thus, the husband is the legal father of the child. In addition, the legal father has all of the rights of a biological father.
Because of this, married mothers-to-be are legally required to notify and receive the consent of the husband to allow the adoption plan to move forward.
For separated, soon-to-be-divorced couples, or even birth mothers who’d rather not divulge these details, this can be a hard situation. Whatever the situation, contact an adoption specialist at Texas Adoption Center to determine the best course of action.
Reach Out to an Adoption Agency
As with all things, adoption can be a tricky subject to navigate alone. It is especially tricky when you add unforeseen or strenuous circumstances around the father’s consent.
Each circumstance is different and should be treated as such. Our adoption specialists at Texas Adoption Center are equipped with the right resources and knowledge to help you navigate through your options.
We know that it can be hard to know what to do, especially when it comes to who has to participate and be notified. For that reason, we are here to discuss all of this with you when you are ready in a judgment-free and caring way.
Texas Adoption Center works tirelessly with expectant parents and birth mothers to understand, represent, and support their decisions. If you have questions about placing a baby with an adoptive family without father’s consent, do not hesitate to call us at 844-893-7943 to speak to our Adoption Specialists. We are here for you!
