Kentucky Relinquishment, Consent, Revocation laws

Who Must Consent:

• The mother.
  
• The father if he is married to the mother or has otherwise established paternity.
  
• A guardian ad litem must be appointed for a minor parent.
  

Consent of Adoptee:

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A child 12 years or older must consent to the adoption.

When Parental Consent is Not Needed:

A parent:

• Has abandoned or failed to support the child.
  
• Has inflicted serious injury or allowed the child to be sexually abused.
  
• Has had parental rights to another child terminated.
  
• Has been adjudicated as mentally disabled.
  
  

When Relinquishment Can Be Signed:

Consent is invalid if given prior to 72 hours after the child's birth.

How Relinquishment Must Be Signed:

A petition for voluntary termination of parental rights shall be filed in the circuit court of the county where petitioner resides.

Time for Revocation:

Consent shall become final 20 days after placement approval or 20 days after execution if placement approved prior to signing of the consent.

Adapted from materials prepared by the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.