[nursekt]

Okay so my situation is that I have a 2 yr old. Her father (if you can call him that) did not want to be put on the birth certificate when she was born. So my question is if I get married and my husband-to-be wants to adopt my daughter. Do I have to get her father to sign any thing to officially release his rights?

[katieperez]

If your in the states, no. My birth certificate says 'unknown' in the father section, my biological father did not want to be on the birth certificate. Then when I was 9, my step dad legally adopted me. My biological father did not have to sign anything, since my father was 'unknown' according to the birth certificate. Just give your local courthouse a call and they'll walk you through the process of your husband to be legally adopting your daughter.

[macksmom]

The courts will want you to make an attempt to contact the bio-father. This is usually done through a newspaper ad annoucing you intention to have your child adopted by your husband. The bio-father is given "x" amount of time to respond, if he doesn't you can go ahead with the adoption without his consent.

[Fr_Chuck]

No, I am sorry, you will since you know who the father is, make an attempt to find him at least, and if you know where he is, you have to get his permission for the new husband to adopt. Even though he has not proven he is the father by a DNA test, this does not take away legal rights he has to prove he is the father.

[katieperez]

Fr_Chuck;I assumed since the bio father didn't want to be on the birth certificate, that he would have dropped out of her life and she wouldn't know how to contact him. Like my bio father did. I shouldn't have assumed.
Fr_Chuck and macksmom are right, you will have to make an attempt. If unsuccessful, you can move forward. What exactly does her birth certificate say for father?

[FeelSoNumbZombie]

Nurse,
You will need the birth father to relinquish his rights, in writing. Otherwise, the future will be unsteady.