An Adoption Consent Form is a legal document through which a biological parent or legal guardian voluntarily relinquishes parental rights and provides formal, informed consent to the adoption of their child by another individual or couple. This document is one of the most consequential in family law because it initiates the legal process of permanently severing the parental relationship between the biological parent and the child.

Adoption consent is governed exclusively by state law, and requirements vary dramatically across jurisdictions. Every state has enacted adoption statutes that specify who must consent, when consent can be given, how it must be executed, and under what circumstances it can be revoked. For example, under the Uniform Adoption Act (UAA), consent cannot be given until at least 72 hours after the child's birth. Some states, like California (Family Code Section 8814), allow consent to be signed any time after birth, while others like New York require a minimum waiting period of 14 days. In Alabama, consent is irrevocable once signed; in other states, revocation windows range from 48 hours to 30 days.

The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA, 25 U.S.C. 1901-1963) imposes additional requirements for adoptions involving Native American children, including consent before a judge and a minimum 10-day revocation period. The Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) governs consent requirements when the adoption crosses state lines. Because of these complex jurisdictional variations, the consent form must comply precisely with the applicable state's statutory requirements to be legally valid.

An Adoption Consent Form is required in every voluntary adoption proceeding, whether it is an agency adoption, private or independent adoption, stepparent adoption, or relative or kinship adoption. The biological mother must sign consent in virtually all cases, and the biological father must consent if he has established legal paternity through marriage, voluntary acknowledgment, or court order.

In stepparent adoptions -- the most common type in the United States -- the non-custodial biological parent must execute a consent form to allow the stepparent to legally adopt the child. If the non-custodial parent refuses to consent, the stepparent must petition the court to terminate that parent's rights involuntarily, typically by proving abandonment, unfitness, or failure to support.

Consent is also needed when a birth mother is working with an adoption agency and plans to place her newborn for adoption. The agency typically provides counseling and witnesses the consent signing to ensure it is voluntary and informed. In private adoptions arranged through an attorney, the consent process must comply with the state's specific procedural requirements.

Failing to obtain legally valid consent is the most common basis for overturning an adoption. Courts have reversed completed adoptions years after finalization when the consent was obtained through fraud, duress, or when required procedural steps were not followed.

The consenting parent's full legal name, date of birth, and current address must be stated to establish their identity and capacity to consent. The relationship to the child -- whether biological mother, biological father, or legal guardian -- must be specified, as different consent requirements apply depending on this relationship.

Complete identification of the child is essential, including full legal name, date of birth, place of birth, and gender. If the child was born in a hospital, the hospital name and attending physician may be required. The adoptive parent(s) must be identified by full legal name and address, though in some agency adoptions the adoptive family's identity may be withheld if the adoption is closed.

The type of adoption -- agency, private, stepparent, or relative -- determines which state-specific procedural requirements apply. Many states require specific statutory language acknowledging that the consenting parent understands the legal consequences of their consent, including the permanent termination of parental rights, inheritance rights, and the right to custody and visitation.

A statement regarding the revocation period is critical. The form must clearly inform the consenting parent of the specific window during which they can revoke consent under their state's law. After this period expires, consent becomes irrevocable except in cases of proven fraud, duress, or coercion.

Most states require the consent to be witnessed and notarized, or signed before a judge, social worker, or other authorized official. Some jurisdictions require the presence of an independent attorney or counselor to ensure the consenting parent's decision is voluntary and informed. The date of execution is essential, as it starts the clock on the revocation period. Including the governing state's jurisdiction ensures the correct legal framework applies.