FAQ About Birth Fathers in Oklahoma
By Connor Shelton
It’s no secret that people exclusively focus on the birth mother and adoptive parents when discussing adoption. These are very important figures in the Oklahoma adoption process. The whole adoption process is practically centered on them. However, there’s another person tied into all this, someone whose role in the adoption process can be complicated. If you couldn’t tell, we’re talking about the birth father. If you’re pregnant, considering adoption, and have questions about the birth father’s controls throughout the process, don’t fret. Adoption Choices of Oklahoma is here to help navigate you through the entire adoption process because we know how stressful this all is. It can be confusing to figure out what parental rights a biological father has, especially if you’ve never gone through this before. Because of this, we’ve provided answers to ten of the most FAQ about birth fathers in Oklahoma.
1. Do Birth Fathers Have Parental Rights?
If it can be proven that he is the child’s biological father, then the birth father has parental rights. These rights include involvement in adoption and the right to contest an adoption. However, these rights can only be claimed by establishing paternity.
2. What Role Does the Birth Father Play in an Oklahoma Adoption?
A birth father’s role in the adoption process is entirely up to you and him. However, if he is a current part of your life and supportive of the adoption, he should be encouraged to participate in the process. After all, it’s important to have someone to lean on and help make decisions.
If the birth father is not in your life or supportive of the adoption, he does not have to participate. So long as you have the okay to proceed without his consent, you can make every decision yourself.
3. Do I Have to Tell the Birth Father About the Adoption?
It’s not a requirement, but we encourage you to inform the birth father about the adoption. It makes things easier for everyone if he is notified before the adoption is finalized. The reason why is because it prevents road bumps from cropping up late in the adoption process. Of course, if you don’t feel safe contacting the father but still want him to know about the adoption, your local adoption agency can act as a neutral mediator.
4. Can the Birth Father Halt the Adoption?
As previously noted, a father can attempt to block an adoption from moving forward. However, if you are not married to the birth father, the courts will usually rule in favor of you and the adoptive parents.
If you are married to the birth father, the laws differ. They have a better likelihood of stopping the adoption. Therefore, it is important to contact a lawyer or adoption counselor to see what kind of leverage the father might have. It all varies depending on what situation you’re in.
5. Should the Adoptive Parents Have Access to the Birth Father?
It’s completely up to you and the adoptive parents if the birth father is part of the adoption. If the father is supportive, we recommend giving the adoptive parents access to him. He carries the same kind of important information you do that might be needed to understand a child. Additionally, giving the father updates on the child can help him move forward healthily. Finally, it’ll ease his conscience about adopting a child.
6. Can the Birth Father Pick Out the Adoptive Family for the Baby?
Is the birth father supportive of the adoption and on good terms with you? If the answer is yes, then it is encouraged that he take part in choosing an adoptive family.
7. Can I Choose Adoption in Oklahoma Without the Birth Father’s Consent?
Depending on circumstances, one does not need a birth father’s consent to proceed with the adoption. These circumstances include the father being in jail, the father not being in your life, and the father not having any adequate means to support a baby. Also, if you don’t know who the father is, you will not likely need his consent. This is true even if you’re married and your spouse is not your baby’s father.
8. What do I need to do if I don’t know where the birth father is?
If the birth father is absent or disappears, you can go to a judge to get his rights revoked. You’ll likely be asked to try and find him. If he is unreachable or openly hostile to being involved with the adoption process, you are likely to gain sole parental rights. This is especially true if the father signs his rights away.
9. I’m concerned for my and my baby’s safety. What do I do?
If the birth father presents any type of threat to you or your unborn child, get out immediately and contact us. We can help offer protection for you and your unborn child during the pregnancy. Additionally, we can revoke the birth father’s rights, especially if you have documented evidence of abuse. This can include pictures, recordings, or court proceedings. All will aid in any legal action taken to revoke a father’s rights.
10. How Can Oklahoma Adoption Agencies Near Me Help?
Adoption agencies offer a variety of tools and advice. Birth fathers might not always be in the picture, so we’ll do our best to provide what they can’t or won’t. In addition, we can help you receive financial aid from state programs, gather resources for counseling, and even provide housing if necessary. At Adoption Choices of Oklahoma, our goal is to make your pregnancy and adoption process as smooth as possible. This includes helping you terminate the biological father’s involvement in the adoption process, should this be necessary.
Adoption Choices of Oklahoma is a private adoption agency, licensed by the state of Oklahoma and a leader in the adoption community. We have been assisting birth parents, children, and adoptive families in Oklahoma for over 19 years. Our staff members are committed to providing an ethical, empowering, and personalized adoption experience to all involved in the adoption process. If you are currently in the process of adopting a baby and have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us.
Toll-free: 800-898-6028 | OKC Local: 405-755-1999 | Tulsa Local: 918-447-7777 | Text: 405-201-6643 | Email
