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The 5 Wyoming Adoption Laws You Need to Know
Adoption laws vary in each state. Everything from a birth father's rights to open adoption can be different from state to state. We've gathered the five most important Wyoming adoption laws you need to know about when considering this for your family.
Top 5 Wyoming Adoption Laws
Birth Father's Legal Rights
Does my baby's father have to agree to the adoption in Wyoming?
Consent is required of both parents, but may be given by the mother alone if she does not know the name of the putative father. Consent is not required of the father if:
- He has abandoned the child
- He has failed to respond to notice
- He has had their parental rights judicially terminated
- He has failed to contribute to the support of the child
- He has allowed the child to be maintained by the Department of Family Services for one year immediately prior to the petition to adopt
- A court has found they have mistreated the child
- He caused the child to be conceived in rape; or
- He has failed to meet financial obligations to the child
Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 1-22-109, 1-22-110 (2020)
Wyoming has a putative father registry and a father has no parental rights unless he is identified as the father by the mother or the agency, he lived with the mother after the birth of the child and before the filing of the adoption, or he filed with the putative father registry.
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Expectant/Birth Mother Living Expenses
Can I get help with my living expenses during my pregnancy in a Wyoming adoption?
This issue is not addressed under Wyoming law.
Separate Legal Representation
Open Adoption
How does Open Adoption work in Wyoming?
This issue is not addressed under Wyoming law. This means that any agreement about open adoption in Wyoming is based only on a promise, and will not be enforced by a court. It's still very important that whatever you agree to is written down and signed by everyone.
Click here for a map showing which states enforce open adoption agreements.
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How does Consent to Adoption work in Wyoming?
How does the legal process for adoption work in Wyoming?
Consent may be given after the birth of the child and The consent to adoption shall be signed any time after the birth of the child. The consent shall be acknowledged by a person authorized to take acknowledgments, representative of the department of family services, or a representative of a certified agency to whom the custody of the child is being relinquished for adoption. If not, the consent to adoption may be approved by the court.
Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 1-22-109 (2020)
How long will I have to change my mind about adoption in Wyoming?
Consent to adoption and relinquishment of a child for adoption are irrevocable unless obtained by fraud or duress, unless the court should denies the adoption on account of a claim or objection of the putative father of the child, the court may also allow the mother of the child to withdraw her consent and relinquishment.
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