Georgia Relinquishment, Consent, Revocation laws

Who Must Consent:


Any living parent or guardian must voluntarily and in writing surrender all rights to the child to the department or child placing agency.

Consent of Adoptee:

A child 14 years or older must consent in the presence of the court.

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When Parental Consent is Not Needed:

• The child has been abandoned and parent cannot be found.
  
• Parent is insane or otherwise incapacitated.
  
• Parent has failed to contact or support the child.
  

When Relinquishment Can Be Signed:

Consent may be executed any time after the birth of the child.

How Relinquishment Must Be Signed:

• In an agency adoption, consent may be executed before a notary and representative of the agency.
  
• In a direct placement, it may be executed before a notary.
  

Time for Revocation:

• Parent may withdraw consent within 10 days.
  
• The surrender document is not valid unless it states the right of withdrawal.
  
• There are no express statutory grounds for revocation, but consent may be invalid if executed under fraud, duress or incapacity.
  

Adapted from materials prepared by the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.