In the modern world of adoptions, many women face unsupportive or unknown birth fathers. Expecting mothers who want to place their child for adoption often wonder how to proceed in these scenarios. It is important to note that birth fathers do have rights which vary from state-to-state. Each case will be handled on an individual basis with an adoption counselor or attorney.*
Unknown Birth Father and Choosing Adoption
In the U.S. many states have a putative father registry. In order for the birth father to claim his rights, he must sign up through the registry. If the birth father is unregistered, the attorney may not be required to notify him of the adoption, and this will be configured on an individual basis. In other cases, if the birth father is not financially supportive, or has not claimed his legal rights to the child, and finally if all resources have been used to find him, birth mothers may be able to place their child without the birth father.
Birth Father is Known but Not Supportive of the Adoption
In order for the birth father to claim his parental rights, he must be willing to provide financial support and custody. Many states require the birth father to provide financial support to the birth mother; lack of support will result in termination of the father’s rights in choosing adoption etc. If the birth father is in and out of the picture, an attorney will address his rights with the birth mother.
The Birth Father Wants the Birth Mother to Have an Abortion
In this scenario, the decision of whether to have an abortion is solely the birth mother’s. If the birth mother does not want to have an abortion, she should consider openly sharing with the birth father her thoughts on this. Additionally, it is recommended that birth mothers speak to a counselor to discuss all of their options.
The Birth Father is Incarcerated
If the child’s birth father is incarcerated, birth mothers should consider meeting with a counselor to discuss their options. In the event that the birth father is in support of an adoption, a social worker can help to work out a plan in which he will receive photos and letters, if desired. If the birth father is unsupportive of an adoption, a counselor will discuss the birth mother’s rights as well as the birth’s father’s.
Support for Birth Mothers
Birth mothers who are faced with unsupportive or unknown birth fathers often feel uncertain and fearful. In the above scenarios, the birth father may not understand his rights or the process of adoption. Therefore, it is recommended that women meet with an adoption counselor to discuss all their options.
*Read more about birth father’s legal rights in the U.S. https://bit.ly/2Do3JW2
