When will the consent for adoption form be signed?

Once the baby is born, Wyoming Children's Society will review the adoption decision with the birthparents. The voluntary consent is signed 24 hours after birth and is irrevocable by Wyoming law.

Can a birthparent change his/her mind once a voluntary consent for adoption form is signed?

Wyoming law states a voluntary relinquishment of parental rights is permanent and irrevocable once signed and can only be overturned due to proven fraud or distress. Therefore, in Wyoming the birthparents do not have a period of time in which they can change their mind about the adoption decision.

When is the adoption finalized?

The adoption will be finalized once post placement supervision is complete, which generally occurs within six months after placement. The Wyoming Children's Society and your attorney will assist you with this process.

What is the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children? How does this work?

Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children (ICPC) is a statute adopted by all 50 states and the District of Columbia. ICPC applies to children who are placed across state lines for the purpose of foster care or adoption. ICPC does not apply to private family child placement arrangements. If a child is born in a different state than the adoptive family resides, the following process will occur:

* The state the child is born in will initiate the ICPC paperwork by submitting required paperwork to their ICPC Director for approval
* Sending state will approve placement and send the ICPC paperwork to the receiving state (adoptive parent’s state of residence) for approval
* Upon review and successful approval the placement will be approved and the adoptive family is given permission to bring the child to their home state
* Each state has their own time frame for approving ICPC cases so a specific time frame depends on the states involved in the placement. Generally speaking, the adoptive parents should plan to stay in the state the child is born for 5-10 business days following the birth of the baby.

1-22-111. Decree; investigation; denial of adoption.



(a) After the petition to adopt has been filed and a hearing held the court acting in the best interest and welfare of the child may make any of the following orders:



(i) Enter an interlocutory decree of adoption giving the care and custody of the child to the petitioners pending further order of the court;



(ii) Defer entry of an interlocutory decree of adoption and order the department of family services or a private licensed agency to investigate and report to the court the background of the child and of the petitioners, and the medical, social and psychological background and status of the consenting parent and putative father. After a written report of the investigation is filed, the court shall determine if the adoption by petitioners is in the best interest and welfare of the child and thereupon enter the appropriate order or decree;



(iii) Enter a final decree of adoption if the child has resided in the home of the petitioner for six (6) months; or



(iv) Deny the adoption if the court finds that the best interests and welfare of the child will be served by such denial.



(b) If the court denies the adoption it shall make an order for proper custody consistent with the best interest and welfare of the child.

1-22-112. Application for final decree.



(a) If an interlocutory decree has been entered petitioners may apply for a final decree of adoption after the child has resided in the home of the petitioners for six (6) months and a hearing on the petition may be required.



(b) If an interlocutory decree has not been entered a hearing on the petition for a final decree of adoption shall be set as provided in W.S. 1-22-106, notice thereof shall be given as provided in W.S. 1-22-107 and a final hearing shall be had on the petition.

(a) After the petition to adopt has been filed and a hearing held the court acting in the best interest and welfare of the child may make any of the following orders:



(i) Enter an interlocutory decree of adoption giving the care and custody of the child to the petitioners pending further order of the court;