In an ideal world, everyone in your life would be supportive of your choice for adoption. But the truth is that’s not always the case. While the birth father can be one of your biggest fans, he may also be uninvolved or unsupportive. Depending on your relationship with the birth father, you will have many questions, including:

• “Can a mother put a baby up for adoption without the father in Rhode Island?”

• “Does the father have to give consent for adoption in Rhode Island?”

• “How does adoption without knowing the father work?”

• “I want to put my baby up for adoption but the father doesn’t. Now what?”

These questions are normal to have before an adoption. Pursuing a legal adoption without the father’s consent in Rhode Island can be a source of anxiety. If you are wondering what the birth father’s involvement means for your adoption, please contact an adoption attorney or an adoption specialist at American Adoptions for assistance. While this article will attempt to answer some basic questions about birth father rights in Rhode Island adoptions, none of the following information should be considered legal advice.

In Rhode Island, is adoption possible without knowing who the father is?

You should know that an unknown father adoption in Rhode Island is very common. The first step that you should take is to call 1-800-ADOPTION to speak with an adoption specialist. Because the birth father rights in adoption in Rhode Island can have quite an impact on an adoption, it’s best to speak with one of our counselors about your situation. By speaking with an adoption specialist, you will be able to get the resources and information you need for how to proceed with an adoption without knowing the father in Rhode Island.

Adoption when the father is unknown is possible in many cases. As long as every effort has been made to find the birth father — such as in the form of ads — you will likely be able to pursue an adoption without consent from the birth father.

What should I do if the birth father is uninvolved, but won’t consent to the adoption?

If the birth father is uninvolved, you’re probably wondering, “Do you need father’s consent for adoption in Rhode Island?” A child adoption without the father’s consent is a difficult position to be in. The answer will depend on a number of factors, including what state you live in and whether you are married.

Every state has its own rules for terminating birth fathers’ rights in adoption. If you need to know about adoption without consent of the father in Rhode Island, please call 1-800-ADOPTION to speak with our trusted adoption specialists.

Adoption as a Married Couple or with a Supportive Birth Father

There are instances where you know who the adoptive father is — and you may even be married to him. Having the support of the birth father can make your adoption much easier. There are many reasons why married couples start thinking about adoption. They could already have children but are not ready to raise another. Or, this could be their first pregnancy, and yet they may feel as if they are not physically or emotionally ready to parent.

Pursuing an adoption while you are married to the birth father will come with its own regulations. You may be wondering, “Can a child be put up for adoption without the father’s consent if I am married?” The answer to that question is usually no. If you are married, both birth parents need to be on board with the adoption before it can proceed. Without his consent, the adoption often cannot continue.

Even if you are married, you should still speak with an adoption specialist to get started. Please call 1-800-ADOPTION to receive free information about the rights of a biological father in adoption in Rhode Island.

What rights do I have as a birth father in Rhode Island?

In adoption, birth father rights can have a substantial impact on the process. If you think you might be a birth father, it’s important to understand the birth father adoption laws that impact residents of Rhode Island.

How long do I have to wait before I can sign the consent for adoption?

Both parents must wait at least 15 days after the child’s birth to consent to the adoption.

What if I’m not sure if I’m the father?

Since Rhode Island does not have a putative registry, paternity will need to be established by a court order.

How can I establish my paternity in Rhode Island?

If you are married to an expectant mother during the adoption, Rhode Island law assumes that you are the biological father if the child was born during the marriage or 300 days after the marriage has been terminated. Below are a few alternative ways that a man can establish his paternity if he thinks that he is a father in Rhode Island:

• A sworn acknowledgement of paternity when a child is born out of wedlock, which must be signed by both parents.

• Written acknowledgment of paternity filed with the family court.

• Blood testing results that conclude that you are the biological father.

To learn more about Rhode Island birth father rights in adoption, please call 1-800-ADOPTION for more information. An adoption specialist will be able to listen to your situation and tell you what rights your birth father legally has in your adoption.

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