Washington
Washington
Who may adopt?
Any person who is:
- Legally competent.
- Age 18 or older.
Consent for adoption to be executed?
Written consents may be executed out of court and mailed or delivered to the clerk of the court, but are not valid until 48 hours after signing or the birth of the child and approved by a judge.
If the child is an Indian child, no consent shall be valid unless signed at least 10 days after the child's birth and recorded before a court of competent jurisdiction.
Revocation of consent?
Consent is revocable until the court approves it.
Thereafter, consent is irrevocable, except that for 1 year, consent may be revoked for fraud, duress, or lack of mental competency.
For an Indian child, consent can be withdrawn for any reason before entry of final decree, and for fraud or duress within 2 years.
Who may place a child for adoption?
A parent or guardian.
The department.
A child-placing agency.
Advertising?
No person or entity shall cause to be published for circulation, or broadcast on a radio or television station an advertisement of a child or children offered or wanted for adoption, or shall hold himself or herself out through such advertisement as having the ability to place, locate, dispose, or receive a child or children for adoption unless such person or entity is:
- A duly authorized agent, contractee, or employee of the department or a children's agency or institution licensed by the department to care for and place children
- A person who has a completed pre-placement report with a favorable recommendation as to the fitness of the person to be an adoptive parent
- Nothing in this section prohibits an attorney from advertising his or her availability to practice or provide services to the adoption of children.
Facilitators?
Any person adopting a child shall receive from the adoption facilitator written information on adoption-related services. This information may be that published by the department or any other social service provider and shall include information about how to find and evaluate appropriate adoption therapists, and may include other resources for adoption-related issues.
Any person involved in providing adoption-related services shall respond to requests for written information by providing materials explaining adoption procedures, practices, policies, fees, and services.
Putative Father's Registry?
No. A man claiming to be the father of a child may sign an acknowledgment of paternity with the intent to establish paternity.
The putative father must file a claim of paternity or respond to the petition for termination of rights within 20 days of the date of service of the petition if served within the State, or 30 days if served outside of the State
Expenses?
Birth parent-
Prenatal, hospital, or medical expenses.
Attorney's fees and court costs.
Department/Agency –
A reasonable fee may be charged by an agency, the department or a court approved person for preparation of the pre-placement report.
The fee may be waived.
Information provided in part by the Child Welfare Information Gateway.
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© Excerpted from Adoption.com Guide to US Infant Adoption, published by Adoption Media, LLC
Credits: Sandra Hanks Benoiton
