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Father of the Baby

A birth father is the biological father of a child who has been or will be adopted; understanding birth father rights and how they apply to the adoption process is just as important as it is for the birth mother of the child. Below we address frequently asked questions – both by expectant birth mother and birth father.

Ready to discuss more? To discuss an adoption plan, contact Adoption Choices of Kansas and Missouri now by calling or texting 316-391-4904 or via our contact form.

Birth Father Rights 

Birth Father Responsibilities

What if I’m pursuing adoption when the father is unknown, uninvolved, or unsupportive?

Your situation will determine the best course of action to proceed with your adoption plan. Call us so we can help you explore your options and get you in touch with legal counsel who can help!

Supportive Birth Fathers and/or Married Couples Choosing Adoption

Once the child is born, both you and the birth father will sign consent paperwork that will allow the adoption to take place. According to Kansas adoption law, these consents cannot be signed until 12 hours after the birth. According to Missouri adoption law, these consents cannot be signed until 48 hours after the birth.

Pregnant and Divorcing: Is Adoption an Option for You?

If you are getting a divorce while pregnant, you may wonder, can I put a baby up for adoption while in a divorce?

If you decide you want to “give up” your baby for adoption while going through a divorce, you will need to understand your rights and the father’s rights in this process. Your Birth Parent Counselor will go over your unique situation and help you understand your best course of action.

Remember, you are never obligated to choose adoption, even if you contact Adoption Choices of Kansas and Missouri while you are pregnant and going through a divorce. Before you make this life-changing decision, we encourage you to think hard about your situation and what is best for your unborn child.

If you are pregnant, going through a divorce, and considering adoption, you should also read:

Should I Keep My Baby While Divorcing?  and

“Giving Up” Your Baby for Adoption to Save Your Marriage

What Are My Responsibilities as the Father?

It is common for birth fathers and birth mothers to experience many of the same emotions, such as grief, denial or sadness, but one of the strongest emotions that birth fathers feel is embarrassment.

Embarrassment is common because these men sometimes feel like they didn’t live up to their responsibilities as the birth father. They fear family members, friends, co-workers or fellow students will look at them as somehow failing the child. And they struggle to accept the fact that, at this point in their lives, they cannot provide for the baby like an adoptive family could.

If you are a father in a similar situation, please understand that supporting an adoption doesn’t portray you as irresponsible, weak or a man not living up to the responsibilities of a father. In fact, it is quite the opposite.

Supporting the birth mother’s adoption plan is the most responsible decision you can make in this situation. Making such a difficult decision takes a great deal of strength that will make others proud. You will be remembered as a true blessing to not only your family and the adoptive family, but also to your birth son or daughter.

Regardless if you and the birth mother are still together, you may still be a part of the adoption plan.

If you are still together, you both can decide exactly how you want the adoption to play out. Together, you will choose the adoptive family, what kind of contact you want with the adoptive family, and what the hospital stay will look like.

If you and the birth mother are not together anymore, you can still be involved in the adoption, and you can even create your own adoption plan. For example, if the birth mother is interested in a closed adoption, but you are interested in receiving pictures, letters and periodic emails from the adoptive family, that can be arranged by your Birth Parent Counselor.

For many birth fathers, this decision can be as difficult as it is for the birth mother.

If My Child is Adopted, Do I Still Have to Pay Child Support?

Adoption is the legal transfer of parental rights and responsibilities from the birth parent(s) to the adoptive parent(s).

In the case of a full adoption (like those completed by Adoption Choices of Kansas and Missouri), both birth parents’ rights are legally terminated and the child is placed for adoption with a new family. Once the birth parents sign their consent to the adoption, they no longer have rights or responsibilities for the child, including the legal obligation to pay child support.

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