How to Write a Consent to Adopt Letter
By Anthony Rose
A Consent to Adopt letter represents the renouncement of a parent's or guardian's rights and responsibilities to a child in his or her care. Most states have standard forms that the parent or guardian must read, understand, fill out and sign. Other states may accept a written statement signed by the relinquishing party and approved by a judge or family court representative assigned to the matter. The statement must demonstrate that the individual ceding his or her rights as a parent understands the consequences of such actions and is doing so voluntarily.
Step 1
Type on the first line, "I (your full legal name), born on (your birthday), am the (mother or father) of the child, (child's full legal name) who was born on (child's birthday and city where the child was born as stated on the birth certificate)."
Step 2
Show the judge or family court representative that you fully understand what is at stake by typing, "I fully comprehend my legal rights as a parent and am of sound mind. I am aware that I do not have to agree to the adoption of my child. I understand that by signing this statement, I am bound to voluntarily and permanently relinquish my full rights as a parent."
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Step 3
Demonstrate that this statement was not coerced by typing on the third line, "On my own volition, I fully and permanently surrender legal and physical custody of my child and consent to the adoption of my child by the petitioners. I am neither being compensated or forced to submit this statement under duress."
Sign and date the statement and include your permanent home address. Without a signature, the document will be deemed incomplete by the individual presiding over the adoption.
References
Tips
- Most states allow the individual submitting this statement to revoke their consent within a period of time established by the statues of that state.
Warnings
- Most states have boilerplate forms that the relinquishing parent must fill out. States with this option may not accept Consent to Adopt letters written by the individual.
Writer Bio
Anthony Rose has been writing since 2009, covering home improvement, health, business and politics. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in history from Tulane University.