What is required for a birth parent relinquishment?

In New Jersey, there are several requirements that must be met in order for a birth parent relinquishment to take place. First, the birth parents must be at least 18 years of age and must consent to the adoption without coercion. The court must also be satisfied that the birth parents understand the implications of the relinquishment and that the birth parents are freely and voluntarily consenting to the adoption. Next, the birth parents must receive counseling from a certified, licensed adoption agency or counselor before they can relinquish their rights, and the court must approve this arrangement. This counseling is meant to ensure that the birth parents are knowledgeable about the relinquishment process, their rights, and the termination of their parental rights. Additionally, the court must also approve any written agreement entered into between the birth parent and the prospective adoptive parents. This agreement outlines the birth parents’ wishes for the adoption, including whom the adoptive parents should be, what level of contact, if any, the birth parents should have with the child, and any financial arrangements that have been made. Lastly, in order for the court to order a termination of parental rights, the birth parents must sign a relinquishment document in front of two witnesses who are not related to either the birth parent or the adoptive parent. This document must be filed with the court and approved before the adoption can be finalized.

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What is required for a birth parent relinquishment?

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