How to Adopt in Missouri

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 Missouri.

What you need to know about adopting a baby in Missouri

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 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

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 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?

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 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!

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!

Often, when a woman is faced with a divorce while pregnant, she was unaware of her pregnancy when the divorce process began. If she discovers that she is pregnant during the middle of her divorce proceedings, it can add another emotional complication to the already stressful process.

There are many questions she may have at this point:

• Should I keep my baby and try to save our marriage?


• Should I even tell the father about the baby?


• Do I want to forever have a connection to this man by having and raising a baby together; even if our divorce continues?


• What if my husband is not the father of the baby?

While you are the only one who can make this decision, we encourage you to think about one important thing, what is best for your baby? A child should never be used as a pawn in a failing marriage. Just as couples should never get pregnant in an effort to save a relationship, you should not use your pregnancy as a way to get your baby’s father to stay with you. The relationship between the two of you is hard enough already; adding a child to the mix will only complicate things further, and you will forever be bonded with a man with whom you may have previously been comfortable ending things.

If you’re asking, “Should I keep my baby while divorcing?” you should also be thinking about the realities of single parenting. If your husband is the father of your baby, he may be obligated to pay child support after your divorce; but you will still need to consider the financial aspects of raising a child on your own, as well as things like childcare and a support system for you as a single parent.

While you are coping with divorce while pregnant, you may see your unborn child as a “replacement” for the loved one you are losing, but remember this, a child should not have the pressure of being there to make you feel better. Your responsibility as their parent will be to make them feel loved and supported, despite your own feelings.

Single parenting is difficult. If this path may not be the answer for you, remember that you have another option: adoption. Yes, you can put a baby up for adoption while in a divorce, even considering the situation with the baby’s birth father. In fact, adoption may offer a life for your baby that you cannot provide, including a stable, two-parent household with parents who are committed to loving and supporting your child forever. Choosing adoption is not “giving away” your baby but giving them the chance at a life you may not be able to provide yourself.

You will have the same rights as any prospective birth mother if you choose adoption while pregnant and divorcing. You have the right to create an adoption plan that is best for you, including choosing adoptive parents for your baby and having an open adoption relationship with them and your child after the adoption. But, because birth father rights in adoption can be especially complicated during a divorce process, you will need to work with our experienced adoption specialist to learn what laws apply in your situation.

Our specialists are always available to talk you through your options if you are going through a divorce while pregnant, including the steps if you want to give a baby up for adoption while going through a divorce, your rights, and the birth father’s rights in this process.

If you are pregnant and divorcing your husband, you likely have a complicated history with him, especially if he is your baby’s father. If he knows about your pregnancy, he may have an opinion about whether or not you should place your child for adoption. He may even use this newfound knowledge to manipulate your divorce proceedings and make promises about the future of your marriage.



Remember, a child should never be used as a manipulative tool in a relationship. What’s best for your child may not be what is best for your relationship. Rather than get caught up in promises your husband may or may not be making, think about what you really want for your child. Do you want to sustain your relationship even if you know your marriage won’t provide a welcoming environment for your unborn child? If your husband wants you to place your baby for adoption (against your wishes) in order to have a “fresh start” for your marriage, is he really the right one for you after all?

Whatever your situation, if your husband knows about your pregnancy, you should consider involving him in your adoption decision. Marriage is difficult, especially marriages on the verge of divorce, and so is your conversation about adoption. For you two, an important part of still being married may be coming together to make the best decision for your baby, even if it ends up being adoption.

If you are feeling coerced into a certain pregnancy decision, remember that you always have the right to make the best choice for your baby. For more information about putting a baby up for adoption while in a divorce process or crisis pregnancy center, please call our adoption specialists by emailing or calling or texting:
 1-877-903-4488 or info@adoptionchoicesofkansas.com

Adoption is an Option at Any Stage

Whether you are eight weeks pregnant, eight months pregnant, just gave birth, or have been parenting your child for months, adoption is always an option. Many women don’t realize that it is never too late to place your child for adoption.

In fact, choosing adoption after birth is actually more common than you might realize.

Can I Place My Child for Adoption at Any Age?

Yes.
Sometimes, the reality of becoming a mother doesn’t hit you until you’ve given birth or even parented your child for some time. Or, maybe your financial or living situation has changed and you are no longer able to care for your child.
No matter the circumstances, choosing adoption may be the best option for both you and your child.
There are no age requirements for giving your child up for adoption, as some pregnant women and new mothers have worried. If you feel that adoption is right for you and your child, then it doesn’t matter how old you are or how old your baby is. It is very important to contact a professional to help right away.

Is It Too Late to Give My Baby Up For Adoption?

Generally, no.
However, the age of your child may affect what type of adoption you’re able to pursue, if you do decide that adoption is the best course of action. Many women ask, “What is the maximum age to give a child up for adoption in Kansas and/or Missouri?” “When is it too late to give a baby for adoption in Kansas and/or Missouri?” or, “How late can you give your child up for adoption?” The answers to these questions will vary depending on your individual set of circumstances.
Call Adoption Choices of Kansas and Missouri now at 1-877-903-4488 to discuss your situation and what options are available to you if you’re worrying about things like when can you give a child up for adoption in KS and MO.

Can I Give My Baby Up for Adoption at the Hospital?

Yes.
Putting a baby up for adoption after birth is more common than you might think. Often, women have asked, “Can I give my baby up for adoption at the hospital?” The answer is yes.
If you’re sure that adoption is right for you and your baby, then we can work with you to create an adoption plan that you’re comfortable with, even if you’re putting baby up for adoption after birth and you’re still in the hospital. You’ll still have full control over all the decisions made in your adoption.

How Does the Last-Minute Adoption Process Work?

Adoption Choices of Kansas and Missouri can walk you through all of the steps of placing your baby for adoption at the hospital, or even weeks or months after he or she is born. Your last-minute adoption process will vary based on your individual preferences and circumstances but, in general, you will complete the following steps:

Choosing a Family

No matter where you are in this process, Adoption Choices of Kansas and Missouri will provide you with profiles of waiting adoptive families who fit what you’re looking for in a family for your child. You can then review their information and choose the family you feel is the best fit for your child.
This can happen even with a last-minute adoption. The right to choose your child’s parents is an important one, and it belongs to you even if you’re placing your child for adoption after they’ve been born.

Contacting the Family

Your Adoption Choices of Kansas and Missouri specialist will be able to quickly contact the family you choose and present them with the adoption opportunity. If the family agrees, you will be given the opportunity to talk with them either via phone or in person when they arrive to meet you and the child.
While there may be less time for you to get to know the adoptive family before placement occurs, there will be plenty of time to connect with them in the future. Adoption is the start of a lifelong journey, and the relationship between you and your child’s adoptive parents should continue to strengthen as your child grows.

Moving Forward

Your legal parental rights will need to be terminated before your child’s adoptive parents can be granted parental rights. Your legal representative will walk you through the legal steps that are required to transfer custody to the adoptive family.
After the adoption is completed, you will need time to grieve and heal. Adoption Choices of Kansas and Missouri will provide post-placement support.

If you are considering adoption for your child, please do not hesitate to call Adoption Choices of Kansas and Missouri at 1-877-903-4488 for or text us at 1-316-209-2071. Remember, adoption is always an option!!