Laws in California

When can the placing parents sign the adoption consent or relinquishment?

Consent may not be signed until after the birth mother is discharged from the hospital. However, if the birth mother stays in the hospital longer than the child, consent may be signed when the child is discharged from the hospital.

Can placing parents who have consented to an adoption change their mind and revoke their consent?

Yes. California divides private adoptions into two categories: Independent and Agency adoptions.

In an independent adoption, she may revoke her consent by way of a written statement within thirty days of signing.

In an agency adoption, she may revoke her consent at any time before its acknowledgement by the State, which practically means no earlier than the end of the business day following the signing and no later than ten business days after receipt of the filing by the state.

A placing parent may also waive her revocation period after a formal advisement, which would cause the relinquishment to become irrevocable at 5:00 p.m. the business day after signing.