Common Misconceptions About Birth Fathers in Colorado
By Quentin Steadman
Although birth fathers may possess certain rights when it comes to their child and the adoption process, each state incorporates various legal procedures that must be satisfied in order for birth fathers to exercise those rights. Along with certain legal procedures, each state may possess a different definition of what those specific rights are.
At Adoption Choices of Colorado, we firmly believe that birth fathers should be made aware of adoption as well as their rights. Thus, Adoption Choices of Colorado will always make an attempt to contact the birth father and dispel the common misconceptions about birth fathers in Colorado.
Who is the Birth Father?
First and foremost, a birth father must be the biological father of the child who will be put into adoption. At the time of the adoption in Colorado, the birth father may or may not be married to the child’s birth mother (by Colorado definition of marriage, this includes being married or were married within 300 days of the child’s birth). By being married to the birth mother at the time of the adoption process, a birth father can enjoy fewer legal restrictions as to what they can say or do regarding the adoption of their child.
By contrast, a birth father who is not married to the child’s birth mother (called a ‘putative father’) may have to join the Putative Father Registry in order to assert their parental rights. Doing so contributes to the court system in recognizing you as the birth father.
Common Birth Father Misconceptions
It is easy enough to assume that the birth father has little or no say regarding his child and its future. Although the birth mother may possess greater leeway in terms of the child and the adoption process, birth fathers also have the benefit of legal headway. This fact alone is one that many people, birth fathers and birth mothers, may not be aware of. Similarly, let’s take a look at a few more misinterpretations regarding birth fathers. Each of these ideas are, in the state of Colorado, false notions regarding birth fathers.
- The birth father has zero rights when it comes to the child
- The birth father has zero rights when it comes to the adoption process
- As the birth father, you must still be married to the birth mother in order to exert any legal right
- As the birth father, you must still be living with the birth mother and child in order to exert any legal right
- You cannot legally contest the birth mother’s decision of finding an adoptive home for your child
- Throughout and after the adoption process, the birth father is not allowed to communicate with the potential adoptive families
Regarding Adoption, What Can the Birth Father Do?
Your rights as a birth father depends upon your stance with the adoption itself. If you do not object to the child being adopted, you are free to choose to be involved or not involved with the adoption process. Deciding not to be involved requires you to sign a ‘Waiver of Notice or a Denial of Paternity.’
If you decide to remain involved in the adoption process, you and the birth mother will compromise, through an adoption plan established with our assistance at Adoption Choices of Colorado, how you wish the adoption process to proceed.
Objecting to the adoption depends on the existence of a few scenarios. By meeting one of the following legal requirements, you may be able to block the adoption process from advancement:
- If you are married to the birth mother, or were married to her within 300 days of the child’s birth.
- You have publicly acknowledged the child as your own and have received him or her into your home.
- You and the birth mother have both signed a Voluntary Declaration of Paternity to have you listed as the child’s father on the child’s birth certificate. Typically, this is signed at the time of the child’s birth. However, it is not a requirement and should not be done if you are both planning to place the child for adoption.
- If you have done everything you can to take care of the child and the birth mother both financially and emotionally within the time of knowing about the pregnancy.
As the Birth Father, Your Rights Should Not Be Forgotten
Adoption Choices of Colorado stresses the importance for birth fathers to be aware and understand their specific rights for both their child and the adoption process. When you reach out to us, we will provide answers to all your questions, guide you through the necessary forms and legal proceedings, and to assist in cultivating an adoption plan that considers your interests as well.
Stephanie joined the Adoption Choices family in 2014 as the Child Placement Supervisor. Her love for adoption began in first grade when she made friends with twins adopted from Vietnam. Her heart grew strong over the years for adopted children and ultimately led her to graduate school where she continued her focus to her dream of working in the adoption field. Stephanie earned a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver in 2001. Over the past 15 years, Stephanie has worked as a pregnancy counselor and as an adoptive parent counselor for foster care, international adoption and domestic adoption, writing hundreds of home studies for families, and helping build their forever families. Stephanie is married and has three boys ages 12, 9, and 5. Together with her family she enjoys riding bike, playing games, watching her three sons compete in their various sporting and musical activities and go on vacations.
Christy Ikeler, is our Executive Director and Birth Parent Director. Christy has been with Adoption Choices Team for 18 years, since opening the doors in 2002! Christy has a true passion for what she does and her true love is working with and helping each birth parent. Whether she is up all night on the phone talking with them, taking them to doctors appointments, out for their favorite treat, providing counseling or at the hospital during labor and delivery, Christy is very involved every step of the way. She has a contagious laugh and a spunky personality that our birth moms all can bond with and relate to. As an adoptive parent herself, adoption holds a very special place in her heart and she can relate on every level with both birth parents and adoptive parents. In her free time Christy loves spending time with her daughter, gardening, baking and taking vacations with her family. Christy is an excellent leader for our team at Adoption Choices and is truly one of a kind!! As Executive Director, Christy spends time with the staff, birth parents and adoptive families in order to ensure that the agency is running smoothly. She has placed a huge emphasis on community outreach and programs for birth parents. Christy loves the opportunity to lead the agency into a brighter future.
Ms. Mackenzie has built a successful counseling career over the past 20 years, supporting mothers and families, people of all ages and genders, students, community professionals and fellow clinicians. Liv values a diverse professional focus, including the entrepreneurial life of a sole proprietor, the evaluative process of certifying foster/adoptive homes, the insightful and mindful one-on-one one work with enthusiastic clients, and serving as an advocate for underserved populations. Liv is a Licensed Professional Counselor and holds a BA in Pre-Law and Economics from American University, an MA in Counseling from Adams University and a certificate in Human Resource Management from Villanova University. Away from work you will find Liv spending time in nature, biking to the farmer’s market and adventuring with her family.
Catherine A. Madsen, joined the Adoption Choices family as legal counsel in 2013. Catherine is responsible for providing legal guidance to the Agency, training and updating staff on developments in adoption law and legislation, and program development. Catherine
Virginia Frank is an adoption attorney accredited since 1991 with the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. Ms. Frank is a leader in the field of private adoption and has completed over 4,000 adoptions in her career. Ms. Frank has a law degree from Oklahoma City University and a BA in both Political Science and Communications from the University of Oklahoma.
Cassidie has been with Adoption Choices since 2015, she has her bachelors in Interdisciplinary Affairs with concentrations in both Sociology and Business Management. Cassidie has additional training in Victim Advocacy, foster care and has been working in women’s services for over 10 years. Cassidie has always had a heart for adoption and it was her career dream to work in adoption. She started off doing volunteer work for advocacy programs, adoption organizations and worked in High Risk Maternal Fetal Medicine through the University of Colorado Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Colorado. Cassidie is also blessed to have personally experienced an adoption of her own in 2012, completing her family of five! Cassidie loves what she does as a case worker from initial phone calls, meetings, doctor appointments, interaction with the adoptive families to delivery and counseling. Cassidie has a passion for those in need and strives to help make a difference in the lives of the people she meets. She is a firm believer in being kind, compassionate and open minded in all situations. “Unless you’ve walked in their shoes, there’s no place for judgment. A kind word or compliment can go a long way!” The bittersweet moments in adoption reminds Cassidie each and every time, why she loves what she does!