Oklahoma Adoption
KANIA LAW OFFICE is a Tulsa, Oklahoma Divorce, and Family Law Firm

Adoptions in Oklahoma
To adopt a child in Oklahoma you must fit into one of several categories to be eligible.  These categories include (Okla. Stat. tit. 10 § 5703-1.1): 

Step-Parent adoptions are probably the most simple types of adoptions.  Some of the requirements for adoptions by persons from any of the other categories will not apply when a person is adopting the child of a spouse.

Adoption in any case, however, is a two-step process of first making the child eligible to be adopted.  This is done by severing the parental rights of one (in the case of step-parent adoption) or both biological parents by either consent, relinquishment, or termination.  A lot of adoption law rides on the distinction between these three terms. The next step is to bind the child with the adoptive parent(s) with the legal relationship of parent and child.

The timing of the first step of severing the parental rights of the biological parents is also an important issue in an adoption case.  Oklahoma law will not allow a married couple to consent to sever there parental rights by consent or relinquishment or termination prior to the birth of the baby.  However, if the biological parents are not married, the father can give consent to sever his rights but the mother cannot until the baby is born.  Also, the biological mother or biological parents who are married can arrange for a pre-birth temporary custody order to grant a third party custody of the unborn child when it is born which only vests temporary custody of the child and has no effect on the biological parents' parental rights.

The second step of creating the parent-child relationship carries with it a myriad of requirements.  A medical and social history must be reported for the child and biological parents.  A home study must be completed (except in the case of a step-parent adoption). A Petition for Adoption, verified by prospective adoptive parents, must be filed.  There are also things like background checks and affidavits to file throughout the process.  Ask your attorney how the requirements apply in your particular case.

KANIA LAW OFFICE: Tulsa Divorce Lawyers
Oklahoma divorce is a major life-changing event.  If you would like the Tulsa, Oklahoma Divorce Lawyers at the  Kania Law Office to answer any questions or discuss how a divorce in Oklahoma will apply to the facts and circumstances of your Oklahoma divorce, please email or contact the professional Tulsa divorce attorneys at the Kania Law Office at 918-743-2233 for an appointment.