Ohio Relinquishment, Consent, Revocation laws
Relinquishment - Consent - Time to Revoke
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Ohio
Who Must Consent:
- The mother.
- The father if he was married to the mother at the time of conception, is the adoptive father, or has established paternity.
- The putative father.
- Any agency or person having permanent custody.
- The court having jurisdiction to determine custody.
Consent of Adoptee:
A child 12 years or older must consent, unless it is in the child's best interest to waive the requirement.
When Parental Consent is Not Needed:
- The parent fails to contact or provide for the child for 1 year.
- The putative father is not the actual father.
- The parent relinquishes or has parental rights terminated.
- A guardian or custodian withholds consent unreasonably.
- A parent or guardian is in a foreign country and child is released for adoption pursuant to laws in that country.
When Relinquishment Can Be Signed:
Consent cannot be executed until at least 72 hours after the child's birth.
How Relinquishment Must Be Signed:
- By the adoptee in the presence of the court.
- By an agency, before an authorized person.
- By another person or parent except the minor, before the court or an authorized person.
- By court order.
Time for Revocation:
A consent is irrevocable except if consent is withdrawn prior to the:
- interlocutory order
- entry of the final decree when no other order has been entered after a hearing that finds withdrawal is in the best interest of the adoptee.
Adapted from materials prepared by the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.
