Adoption laws are different in every state, and a birth father’s rights vary depending on each state’s laws. In Missouri, the courts require consent from both the birth mother and father to release a child for adoption. However, there are exceptions. Keep reading to learn more.

Is He the Legal Father?

In Missouri, an unmarried man is not automatically determined to be the baby’s father. If you are not married, there’s no legal father until paternity is determined. Paternity means a man is found to be the legal father of the child.

If a biological father wishes to have custody or determine what happens to the child, he must first establish he is the legal father. Even if the mother puts his name on the baby’s birth certificate, he is still not recognized as the legal father if they are unmarried until a court rules otherwise. In many states, he can consent to paternity before the child is born or while the mother is still in the hospital by signing a Paternity Acknowledgement Affidavit that is submitted to the court.

Many unmarried fathers avoid establishing legal paternity because they will be required to pay child support once established. At that point, biological fathers often deny paternity or agree to place the child for adoption.

What Can I Do Without His Consent?

In an ideal situation, a father would want to be involved in determining his child’s future. But relationships are not always that simple. You may have broken up with the father before finding out you were pregnant. He may have moved away or ghosted you the moment he found out you were pregnant. You may not be sure who the father is, or he may be married.

Placing a baby for adoption without the father’s consent requires special legal processes that vary depending on the state where the adoption is taking place.

You Must Try to Notify the Father

Working with a licensed, professional adoption agency makes notifying the father easier. If you broke up or don’t know where he is, an agency can do the work for you. It’s essential to make every effort to inform him, even if he’s married.

If there is more than one possible father, your adoption agency can attempt to contact each man you name. It’s imperative to be completely honest with your agency representative.

Placing Your Child for Adoption

Because each state has different adoption laws, making your adoption plan through a licensed, reputable agency is vitally important. The adoption representatives at A Gift of Hope Adoptions understand adoption law in Missouri and throughout the nation.

If you have an adoption question, need to notify the father, or want to know your rights as an expectant or birth mother, contact A Gift of Hope Adoptions. Let us do the work for you. Fill out our confidential online Contact Form or call us at 888-564-HOPE (4673).

Adoption is a valid parenting option, and we’ll show you how.