mississippi adoption Laws

Each state maintains its own adoption policies, so the process can vary considerably for families, from state to state. Learn all about the legal guidelines for families adopting in Alabama, whether you’re adopting a newborn through domestic, private adoption, an infant or older child from U.S. foster care adoption, or an infant, toddler, or older child through international adoption. Find answers to the most common questions about Mississippi adoptions, as well as related articles from the AF archives.

Ready to find a Mississippi adoption agency, adoption lawyer, or adoption doctor? Return to the main Mississippi Adoptions page.


WHO CAN ADOPT?
A single adult or a married couple jointly may adopt. The adopting parent(s) must reside in Mississippi for 6 consecutive months before petitioning to adopt

DOMESTIC ADOPTION
Can adoptive parents advertise for birthparents?
Yes.

Can out-of-state residents finalize an adoption?
Yes.

Can adopting parents use an adoption facilitator or another paid intermediary?
An agency or attorney licensed by the state may serve as an adoption facilitator, but no payment outside of fees for reasonable services may be made.

What birthparent expenses may be paid, and in what time period?
Anything reasonably connected with the mother's pregnancy, the birth of the child, or the adoption process.

• Birthmother Expenses: What You Need to Know

Is there a putative father registry?
No.

• Birthfathers’ Rights
• Birthfather Registries

When can consent to adoption be granted?
72 hours after birth.

When does consent become irrevocable? If consent is revoked, is return to birthparent automatic?
Upon signing.

Are post-adoption contact agreements legally enforceable?
Not addressed in state statutes.

• Ask the Attorney: Open-Adoption Agreements
• Ask the Open Adoption Expert: Contact Agreements

INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION
Is a foreign adoption decree automatically recognized by the state?
Not addressed in state statutes.

Can parents readopt in this state? Is it mandatory?
Not addressed in state statutes.

• Clip-and-Save: Readoption Explained
• Readoption: The Final Step

When will a U.S. birth certificate be issued?
The Bureau of Vital Statistics will issue a birth certificate to any child readopted in a Mississippi court upon receipt of a copy of the adoption decree.

• Clip-and-Save: Post-Adoption Paperwork

ADOPTION FROM FOSTER CARE
Are adoption subsidies available? When do they start and how long do they last?
Yes, subsidies are available for a special needs child, who is defined as having at least one of the following: 6 years or older, member of a sibling group of 2 or more children being placed together, has a physical, mental, developmental, emotional, or mental condition, has a history of abuse. Subsidies begin at adoption placement.

Where can I learn more about the process of adopting a child from foster care in Mississippi?
http://www.mdhs.state.ms.us/fcs_howadopt.html

• Adopting from Foster Care: How to Get Started

MISSISSIPPI ADOPTION UNIT
Mississippi Department of Human Services
Division of Family and Child Services
750 North State Street
Jackson, MS 39202
(601) 359-4981
pclark@mdhs.state.ms.us      
http://www.mdhs.state.ms.us/fcs_adoptall.html

Compiled in April 2011.

Disclaimer: The state laws and policies outlined above are offered to readers only for general information and do not constitute legal advice. Furthermore, the state laws were accurate at the time of compilation, but Adoptive Families cannot guarantee that there have been no subsequent changes or revisions to the laws. Please do not rely on the information above without first consulting an adoption attorney licensed in your state.

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