Nebraska

Who may adopt?
Any adult person.
A husband and wife must adopt jointly, unless the adoptive parent is a stepparent.

Consent for adoption to be executed?
Consent is not valid unless signed at least 48 hours after the birth of the child.

Revocation of consent?
Case law suggests that relinquishment is irrevocable unless there is a finding that revocation is in the child's best interest, or upon a finding of fraud, duress, or undue influence.

Who may place a child for adoption?
The parents.
The Department of Health and Human Services.
A licensed child-placing agency.

Advertising?
Except as otherwise provided in the Nebraska Indian Child Welfare Act, no person, other than a parent, shall advertise a child for placement unless such person shall be duly licensed by the Department of Health and Human Services under such rules and regulations as the department shall prescribe.

Facilitators?
Except as otherwise provided in the Nebraska Indian Child Welfare Act, no person, other than a parent, shall place, assist in placing, or give the care and custody of any child to any person or association for adoption or otherwise, unless such person shall be duly licensed by the Department of Health and Human Services under such rules and regulations as the department shall prescribe.

Putative Father's Registry?
Yes. The putative father may file within 5 business days after the child's birth, within 5 business days after receipt of notice of adoption proceedings, or within 5 business days after the last date of any published notice, whichever is later.

Expenses?
Birth parent –
Not addressed in statutes reviewed

Department/Agency –
Any adoptive home study shall be conducted at the expense of the petitioner.
The fee may be waived by the department.

Information provided in part by the Child Welfare Information Gateway.

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Credits: Sandra Hanks Benoiton