Title 42, Title 42

The following individuals who otherwise meet the requirements of this title are eligible to adopt a child: (1) a husband and wife jointly or either the husband or wife if the other spouse is a parent of the child; (2) an unmarried individual who is at least 18 years of age; or (3…

(1) An adoption decree may not be entered if the child who is the subject of an adoption proceeding is not legally free for adoption. (2) A child may be placed for adoption only by: (a) the department or another agency to which the child has been relinquished for purposes of adop…

(1) The legislature finds that the rights and interests of all parties affected by an adoption proceeding must be considered and balanced in determining the necessary constitutional protection and appropriate processes. (2) The legislature finds that: (a) every child deserves to …

Finality is necessary in order to facilitate the state's compelling interest. The legislature finds that the interests of the child outweigh the interests of the state, the mother, the adoptive parents, and a birth father who is not married to the child's mother.

A birth father who is not married to the mother of the child is presumed to know that the child may be adopted without the father's consent and that the father is required to comply with the provisions of this title and manifest a commitment to the father's parental responsibilit…

An unmarried birth mother has a right of privacy with regard to the mother's pregnancy and adoption plan. Birth mothers are encouraged to provide all known information about the birth father of any child for whom an adoption is planned.

The vaccination status of a parent, putative father, child, or person seeking to adopt a child may not be admitted as evidence or considered as a factor in any administrative or judicial evaluation or decision regarding an adoption.