How long does the Birth Mother have to change her mind?
This varies from state to state. With agency adoptions in many states, including California, an irrevocable Relinquishment of parental rights may be obtained anytime after the Birth Mother leaves the birthing facility, thus shortening your risk factor for a reclaim of a child. Although, some states do allow a period to revoke the Relinquishment. The California independent adoption process allows the “placing birth parent(s)” 30 days to reclaim her/his/their child after signing the consent, called the Adoption Placement Agreement (APA), which is revocable until the 31st day. However, there is a Waiver which can be signed by the birth parent which waives the 30 day waiting period, therefore making the Placement Agreement immediately irrevocable at the time of signing. Specific information can be provided regarding your individual state requirements for terminating parental rights and the time period allowed for a birth parent to revoke their relinquishment.
