Adoption Agencies in MO and KS

How to Adopt in Kansas

Whether you are looking to adopt, looking to place your child for adoption, or searching for information about home studies and where to begin the process, the following information will be your guide to all things adoption in Kansas.

What you need to know about adopting a baby in Kansas

To get started on your adoption journey, it is important to understand some of the fundamental aspects and frequently asked questions about the process. Here are a few things to know when considering adoption in Kansas.

What are the laws and requirements for adopting a baby in Kansas?

Any adult, 18 years or older, married or unmarried may attempt to adopt a child in Kansas. If the Prospective Adoptive Parent is married, he or she cannot petition to adopt without the consent of their spouse.

How much does it cost to adopt a baby in Kansas?

Expenses related to adoption in Kansas range widely depending on the type of adoption you decide to pursue. Are you looking to adopt internationally or domestically? Through a private agency or the foster care system? Depending on what you decide, Adoptive Parents may be asked to cover adoption-related expenses such as:

Medical expenses for the Birth Mother and child
Reasonable living expenses the Birth Mother incurred during the pregnancy
Agency and attorney fees

What you need to know about placing your baby for adoption in Kansas

If you are considering placing your child for adoption, understanding how the adoption process works as well as knowing your rights may relieve some of your worry. Here are a few things to know when considering adoption for your child in Kansas.

Kansas is home to many families seeking adoption opportunities and resources to begin their journey. .

Who must consent to an adoption in Kansas?

Consent to adoption in Kansas must be given by the following:

The child’s living parents
The child’s legal guardian, if both parents are dead or their parental rights have been terminated
The child adoptee if they are at least 14 years old

When is consent not necessary for adoption in Kansas?

Consent to adoption in Kansas is not required by a child’s Birth Parent whose parental rights have been terminated or by a Birth Father who:

Knowingly abandoned or neglected the child
Is unfit as a parent or incapable of giving consent
Has made no reasonable effort to communicate with or support the child
Failed to support the Birth Mother during her pregnancy for at least 6 months prior to the child’s birth
Abandoned the child’s Birth Mother after receiving knowledge of the pregnancy
Is the child’s father as a result of rape of the Birth Mother
Has failed to assume parental duties for 2 consecutive years before the adoption petition

How and when can Birth Parents consent to adoption in Kansas?

Consent in Kansas must be given in writing and acknowledged before a judge or authorized officer.

Consent from a Birth Mother may not be given until 12 hours after the child’s birth, otherwise it is voidable. Consent from all other parties should not be given more than 6 months prior to the adoption petition.

If the parent is a minor, they will first receive advice from an independent legal counsel as to the consequences of the consent prior to its execution. The attorney providing independent legal advice to the minor parent must be present when the consent is given.

Can a Birth Parent revoke their consent to adoption in Kansas?

Consent to adoption is final and irrevocable once executed, unless prior to the final decree of adoption, there is evidence that the consent was not freely or voluntarily given.

What rights do Birth Fathers have in the adoption process in Kansas?

A “parent and child relationship” means the legal relationship existing between a child and the child’s biological or adoptive parents on which the law grants rights, privileges, duties, and obligations. It includes the mother and child relationship and the father and child relationship.

A “Presumed Father” is a man who, until proven otherwise, is considered the child’s legal father by law.

In Kansas, a man is considered a Presumed Father, therefore granting him parental rights, if:

He and the child’s Birth Mother are, or have been, married to each other, and the child is born during that marriage or within 300 days after the marriage is terminated
Before the child’s birth, he and the Birth Mother have attempted to marry each other by a marriage solemnized in compliance with law, but the attempted marriage is void or voidable, and:
- If the attempted marriage is voidable, the child is born during the attempted marriage or within 300 days after its termination
- If the attempted marriage is void, the child is born within 300 days after the termination of cohabitation
After the child’s birth, he and the Birth Mother have married, or attempted to marry, each other, but the attempted marriage is void or voidable, and:
- He has acknowledged paternity of the child in writing
- With his consent, he is named as the child’s father on the child’s birth certificate
- He is obligated to support the child under a written voluntary promise or by a court order
The man, in writing, recognizes paternity of the child, including a voluntary acknowledgement
Genetic tests show at least a 97 percent probability that he is the Birth Father
The man has a duty to support the child under court order or support, even if he was never married to the Birth Mother

Home study and Post Placement Requirements in Kansas

Prospective Adoptive Parents in Kansas are required to complete a home study before beginning the adoption process and a postplacement assessment after the adoption takes place. Both will assess your ability to provide a safe and stable environment for the child you wish to adopt.

What is a home study and what happens during the process?

The home study is a critical component to the adoption process. While it is to ensure your home will provide a child with stability, safety, and support, it is also a resource for Prospective Adoptive Parents to asks questions and prepare for the adoption. A home study is ultimately a recommendation as to the fitness of the applicants to become Adoptive Parents.

In Kansas, a home study will include a criminal background check, interview, and child abuse and neglect registry check. In addition, the professional conducting the home study will make a written assessment evaluating the following:

Motivation for adoption
The entire family’s attitude toward the adoption
Emotional and physical health of the Adoptive Parents
Ability to cope with problems, stress, frustrations, crisis, and loss
Medical records and information regarding health conditions that could affect the ability to parent a child
Record of convictions other than minor traffic violations
Ability to provide for the child’s physical and emotional needs
Capacity to give and receive affection
Types of children desired and kinds of disabilities accepted
References
Types of children who would not be appropriate for placement with the family
Recommendations for number, age, sex, characteristics, and special needs children best served by the family

What is a home study and what happens during the process?

Everyone in the Prospective Adoptive Family will be included in a home study and it can be conducted by any of the following court-approved, licensed professionals:

Social worker
Marriage and family therapist
Counselor
Child-placing agency
Psychologist or psychotherapist

Why would my home study not be approved in Kansas?

An adoption home study in Kansas will not be approved if a Prospective Parent is found to have a felony conviction for the following acts:

Crimes against a person, including:
- Murder
- Manslaughter
- Assault
- Battery
- Kidnapping
Sex offenses, including:
- Rape
- Sexual battery
- Sexual exploitation of a child
Crimes affecting family relationships or children, including:
- Incest
- Abuse
- Abandonment
- Endangerment of a child
Unlawful disclosure of tax information
Unlawful interference with a firefighter or emergency medical services attendant
Permitting a dangerous animal to be at large
Selling, promoting, or buying of sexual relations
Commercial sexual exploitation of a child
Within the past 5 years, bee convicted of a felony for:
- Crimes involving controlled substances

Is a home study different for stepparent or relative adoptions in Kansas?

If approved in court, the home study for stepparent or relative adoptions may be waived in Kansas.

What are the home study requirements for adopting a baby from another state?

Any out-of-home placement of a child outside the State is subject to the provisions of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children.

What is a post placement requirement and what happens during the process?

Before the adoption has been finalized, a post placement assessment will take place to ensure the transition into adoption is going well and that the Adoptive Family’s circumstances have not changed to no longer fit the child’s best interest.

In Kansas, a licensed social worker or agency representative will schedule in-home visits as they feel needed. These visits will enable them to make a clear recommendation as to whether or not the adoption should be finalized.

For more answers to your questions regarding adoption in Kansas, contact one of our specialists!

How to Adopt in Missouri

What you need to know about adopting a baby in Missouri

What are the laws and requirements for adopting a baby in Missouri?

To become an Adoptive Parent in Missouri, you must meet the following requirements:

Be at least 21 years old
Pass a criminal background check and child abuse registry check
Be in good physical and mental health
Be financially able to support the child
Complete a training and assessment program
Live in a home or apartment that passes safety requirements

To adopt, you can be single or married, and with or without children.

How much does it cost to adopt a baby in Missouri?

Expenses related to adoption in Missouri range widely depending on the type of adoption you decide to pursue. Are you looking to adopt internationally or domestically? Through a private agency or the foster care system? Depending on what you decide, Adoptive Parents may be asked to cover adoption-related expenses such as:

Hospital and medical bills related to the pregnancy
Counseling services for the Birth Parent or child for reasonable time before and after the adoption placement
Legal expenses, agency fees, and cost of travel related to the adoption
Costs of the pre-and postplacement assessments
Living expenses, including food, shelter, utilities, transportation, and clothing
Any other expenses approved in court

What you need to know about placing your baby for adoption in Missouri

Who must consent to an adoption in Missouri?

In Missouri, written consent to adoption must be given by the following:

The Birth Mother
The man who is presumed to be the father, has acted to establish paternity no later than 15 days after the birth of the child, or has filed with the putative father registry
The child’s legal guardian or current Adoptive Parents
The adoptee if they are at least 14 years old

When is consent not necessary for adoption in Missouri?

Consent to adoption in Missouri is not required from the following:

A parent whose rights to the child have been terminated
A parent who has legally consented to the child’s future adoption
A parent whose identity is unknown
A parent who has a mental condition that is permanent and leaves them unable to care for the child
A parent who has abandoned a child for at least 6 months prior to petitioning for adoption
A man who has not established his paternity to the child, is not presumed by law to be the child’s father, and who gives a verified statement denying his paternity and interest in the child

How and when can Birth Parents consent to adoption in Missouri?

In Missouri, written consent to adoption from the Birth Mom cannot be given until 2 days after the child’s birth, and it must be given in front of a judge or notary public and 2 witnesses.

Written consent from the Birth Father can be given before or after adoption proceedings begin, and it must also be given in front of a judge or notary public and 2 witnesses.

The consent forms must state:

The Birth Mom understands the importance of identifying all possible Birth Fathers of the child and may provide the names of all such persons
The Birth Father understands that if he denies paternity but consents to the adoption, he waives any future interest in the child

Can a Birth Parent revoke their consent to adoption in Missouri?

Consent is final and irrevocable once given, unless it is proven that the consent was not given voluntarily and was obtained under fraud or duress.

What rights do Birth Fathers have in the adoption process in Missouri?

The term ‘parent and child relationship’ means the legal relationship existing between a child and his or her Natural or Adoptive Parents. It includes the Mother and child relationship and the Father and child relationship.

A man is the ‘Presumed Father’ of a child if:

He and the Birth Mom are or have been married to each other and the child is born during the marriage or within 300 days after the marriage is terminated
Before the child’s birth, he and the Birth Mom have attempted to marry each other, although the attempted marriage is or may be declared invalid, and:
- If the attempted marriage may be declared invalid only by a court, the child is born during the attempted marriage or within 300 days after its termination
- If the marriage is invalid without a court order, the child is born within 300 days after the termination of cohabitation
After the child’s birth, he and the Birth Mom have married or attempted to marry each other, although the marriage is or may be declared invalid, and:
- He has acknowledged his paternity of the child in writing filed with the bureau
- With his consent, he is named as the child’s father on the child’s birth certificate
- He is obligated to support the child pursuant to a written voluntary promise or by court order
An expert concludes that the blood tests show that the Alleged Parent is not excluded and that the probability of paternity is 98 percent or higher, using a prior probability of 0.5

In Missouri, a Putative Father Registry has been established for unmarried men who believe they have fathered a child to show their desire to prove paternity of the child and establish parental rights. The registry is for men who cannot find the Birth Mom of the child or who the Birth Mom is denying him ability to take a paternity test.

Paternity can also be established with an acknowledgment of paternity signed by both the Birth Mom and Father, or by a paternity law suit.

Once a man is granted paternity to the child, he has the right to help make decisions about adoption proceedings for the child.

Home study and Post Placement Requirements in Missouri

Prospective Adoptive Parents in Missouri are required to complete a home study before beginning the adoption process and a postplacement assessment after the adoption takes place. Both will assess your ability to provide a safe and stable environment for the child you wish to adopt.

What is a home study and what happens during the process?

The home study is a critical component to the adoption process. While it is to ensure your home will provide a child with stability, safety, and support, it is also a resource for Prospective Adoptive Parents to ask questions and prepare for the adoption. A home study is ultimately a recommendation as to the fitness of the applicants to become Adoptive Parents.

Interviews with the applicants and other members living in the home
At least 2 in-home visits
A complete inspection of the home
At least 4 letters of recommendation; at least 1 from a previous employer, 1 from a relative, and 1 from a non-related person
A child abuse and neglect screening
A criminal background check
Written medical reports from everyone living in the home from the last 12 months
The social history of the applicants, including:
- Marital history and current relationships
- Interests and hobbies
- Religious beliefs and practices
- Financial status
- Motivation to adopt
- Education
- Current employment and employment history
- Family values, origin, and discipline styles
- Location of residence and assessment of surrounding community
- Physical and mental health, including any treatment or existing alcohol or drug abuse

Who oversees a home study in Missouri and who is included in it?

A home study in Missouri will include the Prospective Parents and anyone living in the home. It may be conducted by any of the following:

A social worker
A licensed child-placing agency
A juvenile court officer
A professional counselor
The Children’s Division of the Department of Social Services
A licensed psychologist associated with a licensed child-placing agency
Anyone deemed suitable by the court

Why would my home study not be approved in Missouri?

A home study may not be approved in Missouri depending on the assessment of the Prospective Parents suitability to become a parent. If a criminal background check or child abuse registry check reveal the Prospective Parent had committed harmful acts to a child, the relevance of the findings will be determined by the person conducting the home study and may be grounds for disapproval.

Is a home study different for stepparent or relative adoptions in Missouri?

In Missouri, the court may waive the home study assessment for stepparent and relative adoption; however, they must still go through a criminal background check.

What is a post placement requirement and what happens during the process?

In Missouri, the postplacement assessment will be an update of the initial home study and a report of the child’s emotional, physical, and psychological state.

For a child younger than 3, the postplacement assessment will consist of:

Quarterly home visits until the adoption is final
Monthly telephone calls between the home visits
Regular written reports from the child’s pediatrician

For a child older than 3, the assessment will consist of:

1 home visit within the first 10 days of placement, then quarterly home visits until the adoption is final
Monthly telephone calls between the home visits
Regular written reports from the child’s pediatrician

During the visits, interviews with the child and family will be conducted and the following will be discussed:

The child’s adjustment to the home and school
The role of each family member in caring for the child
How the family is discussing the child’s history with him or her
How extended family have reacted to the adoption
How the child has changed marital and sibling relationships
How the Adoptive Parents are coping with the added responsibilities of caring for the child

If you are ready to begin your adoption journey, contact Adoption Choices of Kansas and Missouri!

Placing baby for Adoption in Kansas and Missouri