What if the Birth Father Doesn’t Support Adoption?

You’re 100% certain that adoption is the right choice for both you and your baby. But, what if the birth father doesn’t support the adoption decision? It’s possible to still move forward with your adoption plan, but there are several details you’ll need to be aware of beforehand.

While this guide should not be taken as legal advice, we hope to answer some of your biggest questions about adoption birth father rights.

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Can a Birth Father Stop an Adoption in California?

If you’re concerned about the birth father contesting adoption, then speak with your adoption professional. They’ll help you determine whether you can move forward with the adoption process or not. Although you can still choose adoption without the birth father’s consent, it varies on a case-by-case basis.

To be more specific, this depends on whether the baby’s father is unsupportive, unknown or uninvolved. Each situation could result in a different outcome, so it’s best to contact an adoption professional, such as FCCA, an affiliate of American Adoptions. We are here to answer any questions you have and help you complete your adoption journey from start to finish.

Unsupportive Birth Father’s Rights in Adoption

When it comes to adoption birth father rights in California, there are some instances in which you may be dealing with an unsupportive birth father. If this describes your circumstances, then he may need to show his readiness to raise the baby in order to stop the adoption.

To retain his parental rights, he’ll need to provide financial support and assume custody. His failure to do so would result in the termination of his parental rights, allowing you to pursue adoption without his consent. In other words, you’ll need to notify him of your adoption decision in some way. If you feel unsafe doing so on your own, reach out to us or a licensed adoption attorney to ask for help.

Can the Birth Father Stop Adoption in California if He’s Unknown?

Some prospective birth mothers don’t know who the biological father is. For this scenario, he’ll need to sign up for California’s putative father registry. If he doesn’t register, then his parental rights will be terminated. That means your adoption professional or adoption attorney won’t be required to inform him of your adoption decision.

At this point, you may be able to pursue the adoption process without the birth father’s consent. Still, because each situation is unique, speak with your adoption specialist and the attorney they provide for you. Here at our agency, we’ll coordinate free legal services for you to ensure that your adoption journey abides by all state laws.

Does the Birth Father Have to Agree to Adoption if He’s Uninvolved?

The baby’s father may have a tendency of coming in and out of your life. One moment, he’s there for you. The next moment, he’s entirely absent, and you haven’t heard from him in months or even years. After you give birth, he may keep up with this unpredictable behavior.

If you want your child to grow up with a stable father figure in a two-parent household, then you may find that adoption is the right path for you and your baby. This is something you can talk to your adoption professional about. We’ll have a reputable adoption attorney evaluate these circumstances, and they may talk to the birth father, too. They’ll discuss his parental rights and your decision to pursue the adoption process.

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As the prospective birth mother, it’s normal to feel worried about the birth father contesting adoption in California. But, we’re here to guide you through this process, no matter what type of relationship you have with the baby’s father. If you’d like to get in touch with an adoption professional today, then you can contact us online to get free adoption information now. We are here to help you in any way that we can.