Welcome to the forty-second post in our series Adopting In the 50 States. Today, we’re in Tennessee, home of Vanderbilt University, which is the alma mater of two of my favorite people. Remember, I am not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV. Consult an attorney or other adoption professional with specific questions. If you have adopted in Tennessee and would like to share your experience with others, please leave a comment or email me at RobynC@adoptionblogs.com.
Who May Adopt In Tennessee?
Any person over age 18 who has been a resident of Tennessee for the 6 months prior to the adoption petition may adopt. The residency requirement is waived if the adoptive parent is a relative of the child, or if an adoptive parent is in the military and lived in Tennessee for at least 6 months prior to the start of his or her military service.
When May Consent Be Signed?
Three days after the child is born.
How Much Time Do the Birth Parents Have to Revoke Consent?
10 calendar days after the consent is signed. If the 10th day falls on a weekend or holiday, then the period extends to the next business day.
Does Tennessee Have a Putative Father Registry?
Yes.
Does Tennessee Allow the Biological Father to Give Consent Before the Child is Born?
No.
Can Adoptive Parents Advertise to Find Expectant Parents?
Yes. The issue of advertisements is not addressed by Tennessee law.
Does Tennessee Allow the Use of Facilitators?
No.
How Long Before Adoption Can Be Finalized?
6 months.
Which Expectant Mother Expenses Can Be Paid by the Adoptive Parents?
Reasonable charges for hospital or medical services related to the birth of the child, medical care and other birth-related expenses for the birth mother, reasonable counseling fees for the birth and adoptive parents, reasonable legal fees, and reasonable and actual expenses for housing, food, maternity clothing, child’s clothing, utilities, and transportation for a reasonable amount of time may be paid.
Can Out of State Residents Finalize in Tennessee?
No.
Does Tennessee Allow for Enforceable Open Adoption Agreements?
Tennessee leaves decisions about contact and visitation with birth relatives to the sole discretion of the adoptive parents.
Advice from Someone Who’s Been There
Bri lives in Tennessee and adopted in Tennessee. She found out that her daughter was eligible for an adoption subsidy due to some medical issues. She says:
[D]efinitely do research on your agency and if you can’t find anything, don’t assume that means everything is sunshine and roses. We used a large agency the first time and thought we could save money by doing it on our own the second time and we were wrong.
Resources
- Department of Children’s Services
- Adopting In Tennessee
- Child Adoption Laws, Tennessee
- Child Welfare Information Gateway, State Statutes
- Adamec, Christine. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Adoption. New York: Alpha Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 2004.
- Adoptive Families Magazine 2008
Photo Credit: Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection, University of Texas
