South Carolina

Who may adopt?
Any South Carolina resident may adopt.
A non-resident may adopt:

A special needs child
If the child is being placed with a relative
If the adopter is a member of the military
A legally freed child in foster care

Consent for adoption to be executed?
Consent may be given at any time after the child's birth.

Revocation of consent?
Revocation is not permitted except where it is in the child's best interest, and if consent was given involuntarily or under duress or coercion.
The final decree renders the consent irrevocable.

Who may place a child for adoption?
A parent.
The department.
A child-placing agency.

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

Facilitators?
A person or entity who offers services for compensation where the intent of those services is to arrange or secure adoptions must be considered ''facilitating the placement of children for adoption,'' whether those services constitute counseling, referrals, searches, or any other form of adoption services. An attorney who represents a client in an adoption or who otherwise facilitates an adoption is exempt from this definition.
Under no circumstances may a child-placing agency or any person receive any compensation for giving a consent or relinquishment of a child for the purpose of adoption, and no child-placing agency or person may receive a child for payment of any such compensation.
A petition for adoption shall specify the name and address of the child-placing agency or the person facilitating placement of the child for adoption, if any.

Putative Father's Registry?
No. The putative father is entitled to notice of adoption proceedings.
The putative father must file notice and reasons to contest, intervene, or otherwise respond within 30 days of receiving notice of adoption proceedings.

Expenses?
Birth parent –
Necessary and actual medical costs.
Reasonable living expenses for mother and child for a reasonable period of time.

Department/Agency –
Investigations and reports.
Fees to individuals required to take consents.
Guardian ad litem fees.
Attorney's fees.
Fees to child placing agencies and sending agencies.

Information provided in part by the Child Welfare Information Gateway.

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Credits: Sandra Hanks Benoiton