- Adoption has existed since 2000 BC and was recognized in Roman times, though common law was slow to recognize it. Washington state began passing adoption statutes in the late 1800s. - Adoption establishes a legal parent-child relationship between individuals not related by birth and terminates the adoptee's legal rights to their birth parents. - The adoption process involves home studies, consent forms, petitions, notices, hearings, and ultimately a new birth certificate when finalized.

1. ADOPTION

2. BACKGROUND Dates to 2000 B.C. Romans Full legal status as child of adoptive parents Common law Slow to recognize Washington Mid-1800s Statutes: 1891 Emphasis on child’s welfare RCW 26.33

3. STATUTORY COMPLIANCE Derogation of common law Strict compliance required - balanced against best interest of child See: In re Santore , 28 Wn. App. 319, 623 P.2d 702 (1981).

4. ADOPTION IS Legal & social process establishing relationship of child and parent where not related by birth WAC 388-70-420(1) Makes adoptee: Legal heir, lawful issue of adoptive parent Terminates all rights of adoptee as to birth parents Except past-due child support payments

5. WHO CAN ADOPT? RCW 26.33.140(2) Over 18 Legally competent Petitioner must be WA resident or adoptee must be domiciled in WA No requirements about: Marital status, sexual preference, or age of adoptive parents (except must be at least 18)

6. WHO MAY BE ADOPTED? Any person regardless of age

7. ADOPTIVE PROCESS Private adoption State-licensed child-placing agency (“agency”) DSHS

8. PRIVATE ADOPTIONS

9. PRE-PLACEMENT REPORT (“HOME-STUDY”) Adoptive parents Qualified Safe, stable, supportive environment Completed by Agency, DSHS, or court appointed person Fee Time Minimum 1 month Report must be on file before child can be placed with adoptive parents International Still requires report by agency

10. THE REPORT File with court Usually to attorney who files with court Fee charged with petition Person adopting - entitled to copy

11. CONSIDERATIONS Birth parents contact - if parties desire Advertising not permitted unless agency, DSHS Adoption facilitator (attorney) Gathers child’s medical status info Provides to adoptive parents before placement Requires birth parents to sign release Birth family background check Transmit to adoptive parents before placement Inquire about possible Native American heritage, whereabouts of putative fathers Neither requires disclosure of birth parents’ names without specific release

12. CONSENT TO ADOPT (SURRENDER & RELEASE) Legal document Indicates birth parent’s desire to relinquish parental rights Signed by: Adoptee, if 14 or older Birth parents, putative fathers (but both not required) Agency to whom adoptee was relinquished Adoptee’s legal guardian Does not terminate parental rights Must be approved by court order Considerations Conflict of interest

13. CONSENT FORM RCW 26.33.160(4) Given subject to court’s approval No force or effect until court approves Birth parent not Native American or Alaskan native ancestry Not presented to court until 48 hours after it is signed or 48 hours after birth, whichever is later Revocable by consenting party any time up to court approval Post: must show fraud, duress, incompetency of consentor After 1 year, no revocation

14. CONSENT FORM “ I understand that my decision to relinquish the child is an extremely important one, that the legal effect of this relinquishment will be to take from me all legal rights and obligations with respect to the child, and that an order permanently terminating all of my parental rights to the child will be entered. I also understand that there are social services and counseling services available in the community, and that there may be financial assistance available through state and local governmental agencies.”

15. CONSENT FORM If birth parents’ identities not disclosed then: “ consent is voluntarily executed without disclosure of the name or other identification of the adopting parent.” Form must be witnessed by person chosen by birth parent

16. PETITION FOR RELINQUISHMENT Filed by: birth parent or adoptive parent Consent form must accompany it Consent by adoptive parents must accompany Petition and adoptive consent may be filed before birth Contains Identifies petitioners, child, birth parents, one or more signed consents Indian Child Welfare Act Soldiers & Sailors Civil Relief Act of 1940 applies Notice Hearing Non-consenting birth parent process

17. PUTATIVE FATHERS Entitled to notice of hearing terminating parental rights Include waiver Meaning and consequence of waiver

18. G.A.L. Used for - Birth parent under age 18 Court appoints GAL Requires Order to appoint GAL Investigates circumstances; files report Fee

19. POST-ADOPTION COMMUNICATION Before 6/7/90, courts did not approve or enforce Now: follow RCW 26.33.295 Written court order Approved by all Best interests of adoptee Failure to follow not grounds for setting aside adoption Enforce Civil action

20. BIRTH CERTIFICATE Application for Adoption Registration form Reissued birth certificate

21. ADOPTION FILE ACCESS Adoptee 21 or older Adoptee, birth parent, member of birth parent’s family may petition court to appoint “confidential intermediary” to search for birth parents or adopted child RCW 26.33.343 Intermediary does not disclose petitioner’s identity If located, must make discreet, confidential inquiry if person consents to disclosure, intermediary reports to court, which may order disclosure If person does not consent, intermediary reports to court and inquiry must end

22. End of Part 1 Take a break and then listen to Part 2.