By Lily Spertus

If you are a pregnant woman considering adoption, you may wonder what adoption looks like for your baby’s birth father. Below are some FAQs about Birth Fathers (frequently asked questions about the birth father) when forming an adoption plan.

In the adoption process, what is the role of the birth father?

The birth father has a different role depending on the circumstances at play. If the birth father is known, he may have to provide consent for the adoption process to proceed. However, in cases where the birth father is unknown, legal measures may be taken to terminate or restrict his parental rights. Adoption Choices of Nevada can help you through this undertaking to terminate the parental rights of the birth father.

What information must the birth father provide for an adoption plan to take place? 

Information required from the birth father may vary. Generally, he is asked to provide his full legal name, address, contact information, and other details if they are relevant. In some cases, this may include a DNA test for paternity or paternity acknowledgment. An adoption agency can guide you through obtaining this information before gaining legal consent from the birth father. 

Can the birth father prevent the adoption from occurring?

If the birth father has legally established paternity rights, he may be required to consent to an adoption. Say, he does not agree to the adoption, the birth father may be able to prevent the adoption from taking place. Or at least complicate the proceedings of the adoption. If the birth father does not have legal parental rights (i.e., he is unknown or absent), adoption can proceed without his consent. Adoption Choices of Nevada will aid you in understanding the legal proceedings of adoption in Nevada. We will ensure that your adoption occurs within the bounds of the law. 

Is the birth father required to provide financial support during my pregnancy? 

A multitude of factors can determine the financial responsibility of the birth father. Some cases require the birth father to financially support the birth mother in some capacity. Adoption agencies can provide you with legal assistance to help determine how the laws surrounding financial assistance apply to you. At Adoption Choices of Nevada, we can help with your expenses throughout your pregnancy-adoption journey. 

Can the birth father opt to raise the child himself instead of consenting to adoption?

The court will consider the birth father’s level of involvement and parental rights if he would like to raise the child himself. Assuming he is found to be a willing and able parent, the birth father may be able to raise the child. An adoption agency can help you determine co-parenting options if the birth father of your child chooses to go down this route. Additionally, they can facilitate dialogue between birth parents to establish the best plan of action for the child. 

How can an adoption agency aid in involving the birth father?

Adoption Choices of Nevada can assist in supporting both the birth mother and birth father in the adoption process. The adoption agency can navigate conversations between both parties, provide counseling for the birth father and birth mother, and ensure respect for the parental rights of both birth parents. Adoption agencies may refer you to legal resources regarding the adoption process and the involvement of the birth father. 

What happens if the birth father cannot be located?

If the birth father cannot be located, Adoption Choices of Nevada is here to explore the legal options of continuing with adoption despite his absence. Typically, one needs the consent of the birth father, so these circumstances may require thorough searches or the publication of a legal notice in an attempt to locate the birth father or, at least, demonstrate that efforts were made to contact him. Las Vegas adoption agencies can offer support in this process.

Can the birth father change his mind after consenting to the adoption? 

Generally speaking, once the birth father consents to an adoption, it may be difficult for him to revoke his consent. This helps to ensure the stability of the adoption process. Because consent for adoption is complex to reverse, it is important that you, as a birth mother and the birth father, fully understand the legal implications of a birth father’s consent for adoption in Nevada. Adoption Choices of Nevada can help you better understand the terms of consent and provide you with the consultation of a legal assistant. 

Does the birth father have a role in choosing the adoptive parents? 

Typically, when it comes to adoption in Nevada, the birth father does not get to choose the adoptive parents. Regarding the decision to select adoptive parents, you, as the birth mother, maintain authority. You have the power to place your baby with a loving family. Despite this, it is important to be open with the birth father about your plans throughout the adoption process. At Adoption Choices of Nevada, we can help you facilitate honest discussions about giving your baby up for adoption. We help involve the birth father where possible.

May the birth father access the child after adoption occurs?

The birth father’s level of access to the child depends on a number of factors: namely, his rights as established by the court and any agreement made by the adoptive parents and the birth parents. In cases of open adoption, there may be contact between both the adoptive parents and birth parents, which may allow the birth father to have some level of involvement with your baby. Communication between the birth and adoptive parents can be a benefit of open adoption, as the birth parents can be as involved after adoption as both parties see fit. However, if the court legally terminates the birth father’s rights to the child, the child will have limited to no access to him. Adoption agencies in Reno can assist you in determining a plan for after the adoption and negotiate terms between all parties involved. 

Adoption Choices of Nevada has been providing adoption and surrogacy services across Nevada since 2012. You can call us to speak to someone now. Contact Us 24/7: 855-940-4673 (Toll-Free) | 702-474-4673 (Las Vegas) | 775-825-4673 (Reno)