Adoption Consent Form - Oklahoma

ADOPTION CONSENT FORM

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF [COUNTY] COUNTY, STATE OF OKLAHOMA

In the matter of the adoption of [CHILD'S NAME], a minor

Case No.: [__________]

APPEARANCE AND CONSENT TO ADOPTION

Before you use this: This form is for an in-state consent by an adult parent whose consent is required. Oklahoma requires execution before an authorized judge and a court-reporter record. An ordinary notarized signature does not complete that process. A permanent relinquishment to an agency or other authorized recipient is a different instrument.

I, [CONSENTING PARENT'S FULL LEGAL NAME], make this appearance and consent under the Oklahoma Adoption Code, 10 O.S. § 7501-1.1 et seq.

1. Required identifying information

• Date of this consent: [__/__/____]
• Time: [____] [a.m./p.m.]
• Place of execution (court, county and state): [________________________________]
• My date of birth: [__/__/____]
• My current mailing address: [________________________________]
• My telephone number: [________________]
• My Social Security number, for the confidential court record: [________________]
• Minor's full legal name and date of birth: [________________________________]
• My relationship to the minor: [________________________________]
• Prospective adoptive parent or parents: [________________________________]

2. Voluntary consent and required statements

I voluntarily and unequivocally consent to the adoption of the minor identified above by the prospective adoptive parent or parents named above. I understand the nature and consequences of this consent and believe the adoption is in the minor's best interest.

If I am the minor's mother or the father of a minor born in wedlock, I confirm that I am signing after the child's birth. 10 O.S. § 7503-2.2(A)-(B).

I am represented by [COUNSEL NAME] / I waive my right to counsel after the court has explained it to me. [Select one and strike the other.]

I understand that signing this consent does not end any duty I have to support the minor or the minor's mother until the adoption is completed.

I have received or been promised no money or other thing of value for this consent except payments authorized by law. Any authorized payment or promise is described here: [________________________________ / none].

My tribal membership is [TRIBE / none / unknown]. The minor's tribal membership or eligibility for membership is [TRIBE AND STATUS / none / unknown]. The court and counsel should address any applicable Indian child welfare requirements before accepting this consent.

I have been advised that an adult adopted person born in Oklahoma whose adoption decree is finalized after November 1, 1997, may obtain a copy of the person's original birth certificate unless an affidavit of nondisclosure has been filed as provided by 10 O.S. § 7503-2.5. I have been advised that I may file such an affidavit.

3. Finality and motion to set aside

I understand that this consent is final when executed, subject only to the grounds and procedure allowed by the Oklahoma Adoption Code. There is no general 15-day or 30-day period in which I may withdraw it by a notarized letter. Under 10 O.S. § 7503-2.7, a person seeking to set aside a consent must file a motion in court and give the required notice. The court must find that setting it aside is in the minor's best interests and that a statutory ground is proved: without good cause, no petition to adopt was filed within nine months after placement; another required consent or relinquishment was not executed or a court declined to terminate another person's parental relationship; or the consent was obtained by fraud or duress, subject to the statute's proof standard and timing rule. Section 7503-2.6 may also apply in its own circumstances.

I have had an opportunity to ask the court about these consequences before signing.

4. Parent's signature in open court

I sign this consent freely and voluntarily in the presence of the judge identified below, with the proceeding recorded by a court reporter.

Parent's signature: ______________________________ Date and time: [________________]

Printed name: [________________________________]

Counsel's signature, if appearing: ______________________________

Court reporter's name: [________________________________]

5. Judicial verification

I, [JUDGE'S NAME], Judge of the [COURT AND COUNTY], certify that [PARENT'S NAME] personally appeared before me in open court on [DATE] at [TIME] and orally and in writing executed this consent. The proceedings were recorded by a court reporter for placement in the court record.

I explained that the parent surrenders parental authority by this consent and that the consent is final except on the statutory grounds and through the court process for setting it aside. The parent stated that the consent is free, voluntary, and informed; that the parent understands the consequences of adoption; and that the parent received or was promised no money or thing of value beyond payments authorized by law. I addressed counsel or waiver of counsel. The parent stated that no alcohol, medication, or other substance impairs the parent's competence. The parent understood the proceedings in English or through an interpreter and understood the information given. If the parent is a biological parent, I advised the parent about the affidavit of nondisclosure. My additional findings and any interpreter details are: [________________________________].

Judge's signature: ______________________________ Date: [__/__/____]

Court reporter: ______________________________

Sources and references

• Oklahoma Adoption Code, 10 O.S. §§ 7501-1.1, 7503-2.2, 7503-2.4, 7503-2.7: https://oksenate.gov/sites/default/files/2019-12/os10.pdf