Are you facing an unplanned pregnancy and wondering about birth father rights in Colorado?
You aren’t alone.
Many birth moms want to know whether their child’s birth father has a say in the adoption process – and whether that will impact their ability to choose adoption.
Below, you’ll find helpful information about birth father rights in Colorado. However, the information in this guide should not be taken as legal advice. We encourage you to reach out to a lawyer or adoption specialist for information on how to proceed in your situation.
In the meantime, here’s what you need to know about birth father’s rights in adoption in Colorado.
What Are Birth Father Rights in Colorado?
If you’re about to give birth in Colorado, it’s important to know that if you are not married to your baby’s father, you will need to take extra steps to establish paternity. The court system will generally assume that the man you are married to is your child’s father. If you are unmarried, you will need to take extra steps to establish paternity before you can place the father’s name on your child’s birth certificate.
If you and your child’s father both agree that he is the father, he can sign a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity. This is something that you will both need to sign. Once the paperwork is signed, your child’s father can be added to the birth certificate.
If the father does not agree that the child is his, genetic testing may be performed. This is something that you may need to request a court order for. Similarly, the child’s father may request genetic testing to establish paternity if he does not believe that he is the father of the child.
Because adoption laws change frequently and your personal situation may be unique, it’s a good idea to talk with an adoption attorney to find out what your options are. You can also speak directly with an adoption agency about birth father rights in Colorado, and they will generally have attorneys they work with who can provide specific advice free of charge.
Can a Mother Refuse to Put Father on Birth Certificate in Colorado?
One of the most common questions potential birth moms have is, “Can a mother refuse to put father on birth certificate in Colorado?”
The truth is that you cannot automatically put the father’s name on the birth certificate. You will need to complete additional paperwork to establish who your child’s father is if you are unmarried.
Pursuing adoption without the birth father’s consent can be complicated in any state. To learn more about your options, please reach out to an adoption agency in Colorado that can connect you to an adoption attorney.
What if the Birth Father Disagrees With My Decision?
When it comes to adoption birth father rights in Colorado, you may be in a situation where the birth father is aware but unsupportive of the adoption.
If you would like to choose adoption but your child’s birth father does not want this, it’s important to speak with legal representation, either your own lawyer or your adoption agency’s lawyers, to decide what your next steps should be.
In some cases, adoption birth father rights in Colorado mean that your child’s father may be able to acquire custody of the child. In other cases, the request for adoption may be granted. Speak with someone who understands the most recent laws in Colorado and who can help you take your next steps.
Getting Started With Adoption
If you and your baby’s birth father are on the same page about adoption, then birth father rights in Colorado mean that you can move forward with the adoption process.
Your first step should be to reach out to adoption agencies in your area and ask as many questions as possible, including:
- How do you support birth parents?
- Do you provide counseling?
- What kind of financial support do you provide?
- What steps do you take to assist with matching?
- Do you help birth moms create an adoption plan?
- How long does the matching process take?
- Do you support open adoption so I can keep in touch with my baby?
It’s also a good idea to determine whether the adoption agency is a local or national adoption agency.
Local adoption agencies generally have fewer resources available to help you with the pregnancy and adoption process. While local agencies can still help you match with a hopeful adoptive family, you will have fewer choices available.
With national adoption agencies, you can match with someone anywhere in the United States. This means that if you’ve always loved the beach, you can choose an adoptive family who lives near the beach. If you love the idea of your baby growing up with siblings, you can choose a family that already has children.
It’s also important to note that national adoption agencies tend to have greater resources and options available, so they can provide you with counseling, financial support and more. When you’re ready to get started with adoption, don’t wait. Call an adoption agency near you that can help answer your questions and assist you in starting the adoption process.
