Florida

Who may adopt?
A husband and wife jointly.
An unmarried adult.
A married person without a spouse if excused by the court for good cause shown.
No person is eligible to adopt if that person is a homosexual.

Consent for adoption to be executed?
Written consent must be executed by the birth mother no sooner than 48 hours after the minor's birth. The father may execute consent at any time after the birth of the child.

Revocation of consent?
Consent to the adoption of a minor older than 6 months of age may be revoked within 3 days or anytime prior to the placement, whichever is later.

Who may place a child for adoption?
A parent or intermediary who must report any placement to the Department of Children and Family Services.
A child-placing agency that is licensed by the department.

Advertising?
It is unlawful for any person, except an adoption entity, to advertise or offer to the public, in any way, by any medium whatever, that a minor is available for adoption or that a minor is sought for adoption.
It is unlawful for any person to publish or broadcast any such advertisement without including the Florida license number of the agency or attorney placing the advertisement.

Facilitators?
An intermediary is an attorney, acting as an adoption entity, who places a child for adoption. An adoption entity has an affirmative duty to:

Make full disclosure of all State law requirements for adoption
Obtain necessary consents
File necessary petitions and affidavits
Serve notices of hearings

Report to court all expenses paid

Putative Father's Registry?
Yes. The putative father must file a notarized claim of paternity form with the Putative Father Registry. The form may be filed at any time prior to the child's birth, or the filing of a petition for termination of rights.

Expenses?
Birth parent –
Living expenses of the mother, including transportation, clothes and insurance.
Medical or hospital care received by the mother or minor.
Services related to the adoption.
Attorney and other professional fees.
A reasonable dollar amount is stated in the statute.

Department/Agency –
The department may charge an amount equal to the cost of services, including the preliminary home study, investigator fees, counseling, and the final home investigation. Prior approval required for court costs over $800.
Payments for foster care pre-placement and post-placement, social services, agency, facility and administrative costs.

Information provided in part by the Child Welfare Information Gateway.

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Credits: Sandra Hanks Benoiton