- Free Legal Information
- Factsheet
- Details
Does an unmarried father have any rights to stop the adoption of his child ?
Yes, if he has a parental responsibility order or a parental responsibility agreement (see Children section). He can then apply to be joined as a party to the adoption proceedings.
If the father does not have a parental responsibility order or a parental responsibility agreement he still has some rights.
He will be asked for his consent, however, if he cannot be found his consent is not needed. Or if he does not consent the court has the power to override his refusal and still make an adoption order.
Any consent to adoption by a parent, guardian, special guardian, or a previous adoptive parent must be given in writing on a specially prescribed form.
Follow CompactLaw for free adoption law updates
- Accident Claims
- Adoption Law
- Children
- Consumer Law
- Employment Law
- Injunctions
- Public Funding
- Private Housing
- Public Housing
- Relationships & Family Law
- Small Claims Court
Articles
Useful Addresses & Telephone Numbers
Questions & Answers
- Do I have to be a certain age to adopt?
- Who can apply for an adoption order?
- Which courts can deal with adoption proceedings?
- Who is a "Protected Child"?
- Does the child have to have been living with us first before we can start adoption proceedings?
- Does an unmarried father have any rights to stop the adoption of his child?
- Can adoption orders be revoked?
Press comments