In an adoption, all parties must be considered when finalizing plans and signing consent for the process. The legal process in Wisconsin often requires approval of an adoption by both the prospective birth mother and birth father before placement with an adoptive family. Whether a birth father is in a relationship with the birth mother, or he is estranged from the whole situation, Wisconsin legalities oblige the involvement of the birth father to relinquish rights in the formality of an adoption.

However, the successful involvement of a prospective birth father in an adoption process isn’t always possible. Many times, prospective birth fathers are unsupportive, uninvolved, or even unknown. A prospective birth mother like you may worry about adoption without the father’s consent in these situations.

If you are considering putting a baby up for adoption in Wisconsin without the father’s consent, you’ve come to the right place. Only an adoption attorney and adoption professional can guide you through the process ahead, but reading more information about this situation is a good place to start.

While you will receive advice from this article about prospective birth father rights in adoption in Wisconsin, it is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal advice for your adoption. Working with an adoption professional or attorney is the only way to ensure that prospective birth mother and father rights are properly addressed in an adoption, no matter the relationship you may have with the baby’s birth father.

Common Questions about Birth Father Adoption Laws in Wisconsin

As prospective birth mothers contemplate their options in choosing adoption for their babies, they will often have several questions concerning the birth father adoption laws in Wisconsin. Some of these frequently asked questions may include:

• Can I give my child up for adoption without the father’s consent?
• Is adoption possible without knowing who the father is?
• What are Wisconsin birth father rights in adoption?

In order to successfully place your child for adoption, you must speak with an adoption professional concerning your specific Wisconsin adoption situation. Working under the guidance of an adoption professional or attorney will aid in correctly identifying what your process will look like in Wisconsin and what legal steps will need to be taken for your personal birth father situation.

How Your Relationship Affects Your Adoption Plan

Every birth father situation is unique. Whether a prospective birth mother has long since lost touch with the birth father or she continues in a close relationship with him, there are always options for the baby to be placed with an adoptive family.

So, can a mother put a baby up for adoption in Wisconsin without the father’s consent?

To answer that question, you’ll need to describe your relationship to your adoption professional. You’ll want to begin the process by giving as much detailed information about the birth father as you can. Your honest communication will expedite the procedures necessary to receive a father’s consent for an adoption. Your professional will do everything they can to help you through this situation, but they cannot help you unless you are honest about the situation you find yourself in.

Do You Need the Father’s Consent for Adoption in Wisconsin?

The simple answer is yes — you will need to obtain the prospective birth father’s consent in order to place the baby with a family. However, what that consent will look like will depend upon your personal situation. A birth father’s rights in Wisconsin must be considered and legally addressed before continuing with any adoption plans, but there are exemptions made in cases of special circumstances.

If you are a male in the state of Wisconsin and you believe to have fathered a child, you can register on the Wisconsin putative father registry to claim parental rights of your child. You must register before the birth of your child or within 14 days of the child’s birth. This will protect your interests in the event of an adoption. You can also be declared the father of the child by the prospective birth mother declaring your identity on the child’s birth certificate.

Likewise, if you are interested in giving a baby up for adoption in Wisconsin without the father’s consent, the putative father registry will likely play a role. Depending on your situation, it may be the father’s responsibility to assert rights — meaning, if he doesn’t, his birth father rights in adoption may be terminated.

If a prospective birth mother desires to place her baby for adoption in Wisconsin without the father’s consent or without knowing the identity of the father, she would need to discuss her options with her adoption professional before moving forward with any adoption plans.

Understanding Birth Father Rights in Wisconsin Adoptions

In Wisconsin, there are state specific regulations to be followed when handling an adoption and understanding about how the prospective birth father fits into that plan. To ensure you are given the correct information and that you comply with the birth father adoption laws in Wisconsin, your best defense is to work alongside an adoption professional or attorney who can provide proper guidance. Understanding the applicable birth father rights in your Wisconsin adoption will be a very crucial step in setting your adoption plans into motion.

Remember: This article should not be taken as legal advice. If you still have questions about birth father rights in Wisconsin, please fill out this form to contact an adoption professional today.