Georgia's Adoption Laws
Georgia
Statute: §§ 49-5-185;
49-5-186(a)-(b)
Records Confidential: Yes
Persons with access to records
CPS/State Agencies
Agencies From Other States
Courts/Judges
Law Enforcement
Attorneys General/Prosecutors
Attorneys, GAL's
Coroners
Subject of Reports
Public/Any Person
Persons without access to records
Grand Juries
Physicians
Reporters of Abuse
Researchers
Employers
Parents/Guardians
Review Teams
Treatment Providers
Other Governor's
office General Assembly Information about a child who was in Department custody
at the time of death not confidential
© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.
If the adoption is a private adoption, the consent may be signed any time following the birth. If the adoption is being handled by an adoption agency, the consent may be signed 24 hours following the birth. Pre-consents are not allowed in the state of Georgia. Revocation Time Frame in GeorgiaThe consent may be revoked up to 10 days after signing.
Georgia
Who May Adopt
Statute: § 19-8-3
Any adult person, including a foster parent,
who:
Is at least
25 years old or married and living with his spouse
Is at least
10 years older than the child
Has been a
resident at least 6 months
Is
financially, physically and mentally able to have permanent custody of the child
Married persons must file a joint petition.
Who May Be Adopted
Statute: §§ 19-8-3; 19-8-21
Any child
An adult who
gives written consent
Who May Place a Child for Adoption
Statute: § 19-8-4
The parent
or guardian
The
department
Any child
placing-agency
© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.
No information currently available.
Georgia
Birth Parent Expenses Allowed Statute: § 19-8-13(c)
-
Medical expenses related to the
pregnancy
-
Hospital costs for the birth of
the child
-
Expenses related to the
placement and adoption
Birth Parent Expenses Not Allowed
Not addressed in statutes
reviewed
Allowable Payments for Arranging Adoption Statute: §
19-8-13(c)
Payments for
services related to the adoption or the placement of the minor are permitted.
Allowable Payments for Relinquishing Child Statute: § 19-8-24
It is
unlawful for any person or entity to directly or indirectly offer inducements to
a parent to relinquish their child.
Allowable Fees Charged by Department/Agency Statute: §
19-8-13(b)
A fee must be
paid to the clerk of the court for the filing of the adoption petition, as
established by §§ 15-6-77 and 15-6-77.1.
Accounting of Expenses Required by Court Statute: § 19-8-13(c),
(d)
-
Each petitioner must file a
report fully accounting for all disbursements made or agreed to be made.
-
Each attorney must file an
affidavit detailing all legal fees.
© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.
No information currently available.
Georgia
Agency or Person Gathering Information
or Preparing Report Statute: § 19-8-16
- Department of Human Resources
- Child placement agency
- Any court-appointed agent
Contents of Report About Person to be
Adopted Statute: § 19-8-17
- Physical and mental condition
- General family background
- Circumstances under which child came to be
placed for adoption
Contents of Report About Birth Parents
Statute: § 19-8-23 Genetic, social, and
health history
Contents of Report About Adoptive
Parents Statute: §§ 19-8-16; 19-8-17
- Financial, physical, and mental capability
- Criminal background check
- Suitability of the home
© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.
If you are an adoption professional and have updated information for this portion of our site let us know by contacting us at 1-800-ADOPTION or e-mail us at editors@americanadoptions.com.
American Adoptions, Inc. provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.
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