Maine

Who may adopt?
A husband and wife jointly.
An unmarried person.
Resident or nonresident.

Consent for adoption to be executed?
Consent can be executed any time after the child's birth.
A petition for adoption must be pending before consent is executed.

Revocation of consent?
A consent or release will not be valid until 3 days after if has been executed; it then becomes final and irrevocable.
If the adoption placement that has been consented to is not finalized within 18 months, a review must be held.

Who may place a child for adoption?
The child's parent(s).
Person or agency having legal custody of guardianship of the child.

Advertising?
Advertising for adoption services or soliciting adoptions is prohibited, except that licensed child-placing agencies may advertise in accordance with rules adopted by the department.

Facilitators?
This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.

Putative Father's Registry?
No. The putative father may file within 20 days after notice of adoption is given, or within a longer period of time as ordered by the judge.

Expenses?
Birth parent –
Legal fees related to consent.
Prenatal and postnatal counseling.
Medical costs.
Transportation to services allowed.
Foster care for child.
Reasonable living expenses for mother.
Counseling and legal fees for birth father.
Fees to placing agency.

Department/Agency –
$50 fee for filing adoption petition.

Information provided in part by the Child Welfare Information Gateway.

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Credits: Sandra Hanks Benoiton