Indiana Relinquishment, Consent, Revocation laws

Who Must Consent:

• Each living parent of a child born in wedlock.
  
• The mother of a child born out of wedlock and the father whose paternity is established.
  
• Any person or agency having custody.
  
• The court having jurisdiction.
  

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Consent of Adoptee:

A child 14 years or older must consent to the adoption.

When Parental Consent is Not Needed:

If a parent has:

• Abandoned or failed to contact or support child for 1 year.
  
• Not established paternity or whose child was conceived as a result of rape or incest.
  
• Had parental rights terminated.
  
• Been found incompetent.
  
• Been convicted of murder or manslaughter and the victim was the child's other parent.
  
• Been convicted of murder, manslaughter, rape, incest, neglect or battery and the victim was the child's sibling.
  
  

When Relinquishment Can Be Signed:

Consent may be executed any time after the child's birth.

How Relinquishment Must Be Signed:

Consent may be executed in the presence of the court, a notary public or other authorized agent, or an authorized agent of the Division or child placing agency.

Time for Revocation:

• A consent may not be withdrawn before the entry of the adoption decree unless the court finds that the person seeking the withdrawal is acting in the child's best interest.
  
• A consent may not be withdrawn after the entry of the adoption decree.
  
  

Adapted from materials prepared by the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.