Adoption Laws in Nevada

Learn and Understand Nevada Adoption Laws

Adoption laws differ from state to state. These laws, which govern adoption at both state and federal levels, change constantly. This can lead to confusion and error when adopting a child. Nevada adoption lawyer Eric Stovall knows about Nevada state and federal adoption laws, and he can tell you exactly what you need to know.

Adoption Consent Laws in Nevada

In the state of Nevada, both biological parents must consent to an adoption. A consent or a relinquishment is irrevocable upon signing. A minor parent may execute a relinquishment for adoption and cannot revoke it upon coming of age. A consent is not necessary where a court has terminated the parental rights of the parent. If the child to be adopted is over the age of 14 years, the child must also consent. Consent laws include:

• When to execute consent.  Parents can execute consent after 72 hours. However, the father can consent before the child's birth if he is not married to the birth mother.
• How to execute consent. Parents must identify the child and adopting parents and deliver a copy of the consent form 48 hours later to the Welfare department. Parents must execute consent with two disinterested witnesses also signing, which must be notarized. The birth mother must complete the consent before placing the child in an adoptive home.

Parties When Adopting a Child

When adopting a child, there are certain restrictions. In Nevada, any adult person who is at least 10 years older than the child can adopt. However, married couples must agree to adopt together. The parties involved in a typical adoption include the child’s parents, guardian, a child welfare agency or a licensed agency with child-placement services and the adopting parents.

Nevada does not have a Putative Father Registry. However, if there is a known person who considers himself the child’s father, he should receive a termination proceedings notice. He must appear at the proceedings to claim parental rights.

What are the Relevant Adoption Expenses?

There are certain Nevada adoption laws that affect the adoption proceedings and how a child is raised. Reimbursement of medical and living expenses made by the birth parents are allowed as long as this payment does not affect the child placement in adoption cases.

No one can bribe the birth mother to consent to an adoption. If the birth mother does not intend to keep the child, then she cannot accept payments for expenses. We can explain what you will need to do after adopting a child, and what sort of adoption costs you can expect to pay. Other laws for management of money include:

• Department or Agency Fees. There is no fee for the placement of a child with special needs. Departments and agencies should charge adoptive parents reasonable fees for services rendered.
• The court requirement of an account of expenses. The adoptive parents must file an affidavit regarding expenses. This must contain all fees, donations and expenses paid by them in connection to the adoption proceedings.

Adoption Attorneys in or around Reno and Las Vegas

These are just a few of Nevada’s adoption laws, yet there are several more that could affect your case, including federal laws regarding adoptions. If you or a loved one is seriously considering adopting a child or using a surrogate, please contact our Reno adoption attorney at Eric A. Stovall, Ltd. who will gladly assist you in your claim.