Child Adoption Laws
Oklahoma

Part 1 (Below)      Part 2 (Click Here)

 

§10-7501-1.2, A. The Legislature of this state believes that every child should be raised in a secure, loving home and finds that adoption is the best way to provide a permanent family for a child whose biological parents are not able or willing to provide for the child's care or whose parents believe the child's best interest will be best served through adoption. The purpose of the Oklahoma Adoption Code is to:

1. Ensure and promote the best interests of the child in adoptions and to establish an orderly and expeditious process for movement of adoption matters through the courts;

2. Affirm that the parent-child relationship is fundamental and that all adoption laws should be fair to the child and to each parent of the child;

3. Affirm the duty of the biological parents to provide appropriately for the care of the child unless custody of the child has been transferred either voluntarily or involuntarily;

4. Affirm the duty of a noncustodial parent to:

a. provide financial support for the parent's biological child, and otherwise exercise parental responsibilities,
b. maintain a parent-child relationship, regardless of the absence of any court order to that effect, and

c. provide for the appropriate financial support of the mother of the child during her term of pregnancy;

5. Affirm the duty of a male person who has sexual relations with a female person outside of marriage to be aware that a pregnancy might occur;

6. Affirm the duty of the biological father of a child who is to be born or who is born outside of marriage to exercise his parental responsibilities for the child. This includes the duty to inform himself about the existence and needs of any such child and to exercise parental responsibilities toward that child even before birth;

7. Encourage prebirth planning for adoption as a means of facilitating adoption of a child into a permanent family as soon as possible. To that end, the Oklahoma Adoption Code provides for a prebirth notice of a plan for adoption and for procedures by which a putative father may give his consent or otherwise respond to the notice;

8. Ensure that children placed for adoption will be raised in stable, permanent loving families whose qualifications for adoption have been properly evaluated in light of the child's needs;

9. Promote and strengthen the integrity and finality of adoptions by limiting the time and circumstances for a consent to be withdrawn or a challenge to the adoption filed; and

10. Recognize the right of all children who have been adopted to have access to information about their social and medical history, B. It is the intent of the Legislature to balance the privacy rights of all parties to an adoption while clarifying when and to whom information may be released. The Legislature seeks to promote voluntary reunions, provide for confidential intermediaries, and collect and maintain social and medical information relating to the adoption in the recognition that all children should have access to knowledge about their heritage.

§10-7501-1.3.

§10-7501-1.3, As used in the Oklahoma Adoption Code:

1. "Adoptee" means an individual who is adopted or is to be adopted;

2. "Adult" means an individual who has attained eighteen (18) years of age;

3. "Minor" means any person who has not attained the age of eighteen (18) years;

4. "Child-placing agency" means any child welfare agency licensed pursuant to the Oklahoma Child Care Facilities Licensing Act and authorized to place minors for adoption;

5. "Contested proceeding" means any proceeding pursuant to the Oklahoma Adoption Code in which an interested party enters an appearance to contest the petition;

6. "Department" means the Department of Human Services;

7. "Direct placement adoption" means any adoption in which the minor is not placed for adoption by the Department of Human Services or a child-placing agency;

8. "Guardian" means an individual, other than a parent, appointed by a court to be the guardian of the person of a minor;

9. "Parent" means an individual who is the biological or adoptive parent of a child or who is legally recognized as a mother or father of a child. The term "parent" does not include an individual whose parental relationship to a child has been terminated;

10. "Permanent relinquishment" means the voluntary surrender of the rights of the parent or guardian with respect to a minor, including legal and physical custody of the minor, to a child-placing agency, Department of Human Services or any person with the assent of the court, by a minor's parent or guardian, for purposes of the minor's adoption;

11. "Putative father" means the father of a minor born out of wedlock or a minor whose mother was married to another person at the time of the birth of the minor or within the ten (10) months prior to the birth of the minor and includes, but is not limited to, a man who has acknowledged or claims paternity of a minor, a man named by the mother of the minor to be the father of the minor, or any man who is alleged to have engaged in sexual intercourse with a woman during a possible time of conception;

12. "State" means any state, territory, or possession of the United States, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia; and

13. "Stepparent" means an individual who is the spouse or surviving spouse of a parent of a minor, but who is not a legal parent of the minor.

§10-7502-1.1, A. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a court of this state has jurisdiction over proceedings to terminate parental rights and proceedings for the adoption of a minor commenced pursuant to the Oklahoma Adoption Code if:

1. a. Immediately preceding commencement of the proceeding, the minor lived in this state with a parent, a guardian, a prospective adoptive parent, or another person acting as parent, for at least six (6)
consecutive months, excluding periods of temporary absence,
b. In the case of a minor under six (6) months of age, the minor lived in this state from soon after birth with any of those individuals listed in subparagraph a of this paragraph and there is available in this state substantial evidence concerning the minor's present or future care, or

c. A child is born in this state and the mother of the child executes her consent or permanent relinquishment before a judge of a court of this state;

2. Immediately preceding commencement of the proceeding, the prospective adoptive parent lived in this state for at least six (6) consecutive months, excluding periods of temporary absence, and there is available in this state substantial evidence concerning the minor's present or future care;

3. The child-placing agency that placed the minor for adoption is located in this state and it is in the best interest of the minor that a court of this state, assume jurisdiction because:

a. the minor and the minor's parents, or the minor and the prospective adoptive parent, have a significant connection with this state, and

b. there is available in this state substantial evidence concerning the minor's present or future care;

4. The minor and the prospective adoptive parent are physically present in this state, and the minor has been abandoned or it is necessary in an emergency to protect the minor because the minor has been subjected to or threatened with mistreatment or abuse or is otherwise neglected; or

5. It appears that no other state would have jurisdiction under prerequisites substantially in accordance with paragraphs 1 through 4 of this subsection, or another state has declined to exercise jurisdiction on the ground that this state is the more appropriate forum to hear a petition for adoption of the minor, and it is in the best interest of the minor that a court of this state assume jurisdiction, B. 1. If a child is born in this state and the mother of the child executes her consent or permanent relinquishment before a judge of a court of this state, a court of this state may exercise jurisdiction over a proceeding for the termination of parental rights of a putative father pursuant to Section 7505-2.1 of this title, 2. If a parent has signed a permanent relinquishment in the presence of a court of this state pursuant to Section 7503-2.3 of this title, the court may exercise jurisdiction to issue an order terminating the parental rights of the parent to the child pursuant to Section 7503-2.3 of this title, 3. A court of this state may exercise jurisdiction to issue a temporary order of custody pursuant to Section 7503-4.1 of this title for:

a. a minor born in this state, or

b. a minor brought into this state in compliance with the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, if the court is exercising jurisdiction pursuant to this section over an adoption proceeding concerning the minor that is pending before the court, 4. If the court does not have jurisdiction over an adoption proceeding pursuant to subsection A of this section, any order issued pursuant to this subsection shall include a finding by the court that states that the court is declining jurisdiction over the adoption proceeding and is deferring jurisdiction to the more appropriate state, C. Except as otherwise provided by this section, a court of this state shall not exercise jurisdiction over a proceeding for adoption of a minor or for termination of parental rights brought pursuant to Section 7505-2.1 or 7505-4.1 of this title if, at the time the petition for adoption or termination is filed, a proceeding concerning the custody or adoption of the minor is pending in a court of another state exercising jurisdiction substantially in conformity with the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act, the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act or the Oklahoma Adoption Code, unless the proceeding is stayed by the court of the other state because this state is a more appropriate forum or for another reason, D. If a court of another state has issued a decree or order concerning the custody of a minor who may be the subject of a proceeding for adoption or for termination of parental rights brought pursuant to Section 7505-2.1 or 7505-4.1 of this title in this state, a court of this state shall not exercise jurisdiction over a proceeding for adoption or termination of parental rights of the minor unless:

1. The court of this state finds that the court of the state which issued the decree or order:

a. does not have continuing jurisdiction to modify the decree or order under the law of the state which issued the decree or order or has declined to assume jurisdiction to modify the decree or order, or

b. does not have jurisdiction over a proceeding for adoption substantially in conformity with paragraphs 1 through 4 of subsection A of this section or has declined to assume jurisdiction over a proceeding for adoption; and

2. The court of this state has jurisdiction pursuant to this section over the proceeding for adoption or termination of parental rights,

§10-7502-1.2, Proceedings for adoption may be brought in the district court in the county where the petitioners or the child to be adopted reside, §10-7502-1.3, A. Except as otherwise provided by this section, a proceeding to terminate parental rights pursuant to Article 5 of the Oklahoma Adoption Code or an adoption in this state of a minor born in this state or brought into this state from another state by a prospective adoptive parent, or by a person who places the minor for adoption in this state, is governed by the laws of this state, including but not limited to, the Oklahoma Adoption Code and the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, B. A permanent relinquishment of a child for adoption or a consent to adoption, including, but not limited to, an extrajudicial consent signed by a putative father, will be recognized as valid and given effect in all proceedings brought pursuant to the Oklahoma Adoption Code in the courts of this state, if the permanent relinquishment or consent was executed:

1. Before an appropriate official and in the manner prescribed by the Oklahoma Adoption Code; or

2. Except as otherwise provided in subsection I of Section 7503-2.3
and subsection H of Section 7503-2.4 of this title, before an appropriate official and in the manner prescribed by the law of the state or country in which the permanent relinquishment or consent was executed, C. The laws of this state shall govern when and under which circumstances a permanent relinquishment of a child for adoption or a consent to adoption, including, but not limited to, an extrajudicial consent signed by a putative father, may be revoked or set aside, if:

1. The permanent relinquishment or consent was executed in this state;
or

2. The permanent relinquishment or consent was executed outside of this state before an appropriate official and in a manner in compliance with all of the requirements of the Oklahoma Adoption Code, D. If a permanent relinquishment for adoption or consent to adoption, including, but not limited to, an extrajudicial consent signed by a putative father, is executed outside of this state before an official or in a manner that is not in compliance with all of the requirements of the Oklahoma Adoption Code, the law of the state in which the permanent relinquishment or consent was executed shall govern the circumstances under which the relinquishment or consent may be revoked or set aside,

§10-7502-1.4.

§10-7502-1.4, A. The courts of this state shall recognize a decree, judgment, or final order creating the relationship of parent and child by adoption, issued by a court or other governmental authority with appropriate jurisdiction in a foreign country or in another state or territory of the United States. The rights and obligations of the parties as to matters within the jurisdiction of this state shall be determined as though the decree, judgment, or final order were issued by a court of this state, B. A minor born outside of the United States may be adopted in Oklahoma if one or both of the petitioners for adoption are citizens of Oklahoma and the minor is residing in Oklahoma at the time the petition for adoption is filed, C. An adoptive parent of a minor adopted outside of the United States may petition to readopt the minor under Oklahoma law, if one or both of the petitioners are citizens of Oklahoma and the minor is residing in Oklahoma at the time the petition for adoption is filed, D. A proceeding to adopt or readopt a minor born outside of the United States shall proceed pursuant to the Oklahoma Adoption Code, with the following provisions:

1. The court may grant a decree of adoption without requiring notice to the biological parent and without requiring the consent of the biological parent, if the petitioner files with the petition for adoption a copy of the decree of adoption or termination of parental rights granted by a judicial, administrative, or executive body of the country of origin, or a document or documents from such a governmental body stating that the biological parent has consented to the adoption, or stating that the parental rights of the biological parent of the minor have been terminated, or stating that the minor to be adopted has been relinquished by the biological parent or stating that the minor has been abandoned. Any document in a foreign language shall be translated into English by the Department of State or by a translator who shall certify the accuracy of the translation, and a copy of the translation and certification shall be filed with the court along with a copy of the original documents;

2. If a minor born outside of the United States is in the legal custody of a child-placing agency at the time that the petition for adoption is filed, notice of the proceedings shall be given to the child-placing agency prior to the hearing on the petition, and the consent of the child-placing agency to the adoption shall be obtained pursuant to Section 9 of this act prior to the granting of the decree of adoption; and

3. In a proceeding to readopt a minor previously adopted by a petitioner in a foreign country, the court may waive the issuance of an interlocutory decree of adoption and the waiting period of six (6) months provided in Sections 33 and 35 of this act, and grant a final decree of adoption, if:

a. the minor has been in the home of petitioner for at least six (6) months prior to the filing of the petition for adoption, and

b. a postplacement report has been submitted to the court,

§10-7503-1.1, The following persons are eligible to adopt a child:

1. A husband and wife jointly if both spouses are at least twenty-one (21) years of age;

2. Either the husband or wife if the other spouse is a parent or a relative of the child;

3. An unmarried person who is at least twenty-one (21) years of age;
or

4. A married person at least twenty-one (21) years of age who is legally separated from the other spouse,

§10-7503-2.1, A. A minor may be adopted when there has been filed written consent to adoption or a permanent relinquishment for adoption executed by:

1. Both parents of the minor;

2. One parent of the minor, alone, if:

a. the other parent is dead,
b. the parental rights of the other parent have been terminated, or

c. the consent of the other parent is otherwise not required pursuant to Section 7505-4.2 of this title;

3. The legal guardian of the person of the minor or the guardian ad litem of the minor if both parents are dead or if the rights of the parents have been terminated by judicial proceedings, or the consent of both parents is otherwise not required pursuant to Section 7505-4.2 of this title, and such guardian or guardian ad litem has authority by order of the court appointing the guardian to consent to the adoption;

4. The executive head of a licensed child-placing agency if:

a. the minor has been permanently relinquished to such agency by:

(1) both parents, or

(2) one parent alone if the other parent is dead, the parental rights of the other parent have been terminated, or the consent of the other parent is otherwise not required pursuant to Section 7505-4.2 of this title, or

b. the rights of both parents have been judicially terminated and custody of the minor has been legally vested in such agency with authority to consent to adoption of the minor; or

5. Any person having legal custody of a minor by court order if:

a. the parental rights of both parents have been judicially terminated, and

b. the court that issued the custody order for the minor has consented to adoption and a certified copy of its order containing its consent is filed before the final decree, B. 1. A parent of a minor born in wedlock or a parent who is sixteen (16) years of age or older shall be deemed capable of giving consent to the adoption of a minor, 2. If the parent of a minor born out of wedlock is under sixteen (16) years of age, that parent's consent to the adoption shall be deemed sufficient when:

a. given by such minor parent before a judge of the district court, and

b. accompanied by the written consent of:

(1) the legal guardian of the minor parent,
(2) the parents of the minor parent,
(3) the parent having custody of the minor parent, if the other parent of the minor parent is deceased or the parents of the minor parent are divorced, or

(4) the person having physical custody of the minor parent, if both parents of the minor parent are deceased, or

c. accompanied by a finding of the court issuing the decree of adoption, if consent cannot be secured from any individual whose consent is required by subparagraph b of this paragraph, that:

(1) either notice was given by mail by the court to such person directing the person to show cause at a time appointed by the court, which shall be not less than ten (10) days from the date of mailing, why the adoption should not be granted without the individual's consent, or that notice was waived by the personal appearance of the individual, and

(2) the individual did not appear to contest the adoption, or the consent of the individual is unreasonably withheld, C. If a minor to be adopted is twelve (12) years of age or older, the consent of the minor to the adoption is required in addition to the consents required by subsections A and B of this section before a decree of adoption may be granted, unless the court makes a finding that it is not in the best interest of the minor to require the minor's consent. The consent of the minor must be given before the court in such form as the court shall direct, D. 1. When consent for adoption is necessary for minors in the custody of the Department of Human Services, the Director of the Department of Human Services or the designee of the Director may designate, authorize, and direct in writing an employee of the Department to appear in the court of the county in which said adoption proceedings are to be completed and to give written consent for the adoption of such minor by the family whose application for adoption has been approved by the Department of Human Services; or

2. The executive head of a licensed child-placing agency whose consent is required for the adoption of a minor who is in the custody of the licensed child-placing agency may designate, authorize and direct in writing an employee of the agency to appear in the district court of the county in which the adoption proceedings are to be completed or before anyone authorized by law to take acknowledgements and to give written consent for the adoption of the minor, §10-7503-2.2, A. The mother of a minor shall not execute a valid consent to the adoption of the minor or a permanent relinquishment of the minor prior to the birth of the minor, B. The father of a minor born in wedlock shall not execute a valid consent to the adoption of the minor or a permanent relinquishment of the minor prior to the birth of the minor, C. A putative father of a minor may execute a consent to the adoption of the minor, a permanent relinquishment of the minor, or an extrajudicial consent to the adoption of the minor before or after the birth of the minor, D. A guardian, guardian ad litem or legal custodian of a child may execute a consent to the adoption of a minor or a permanent relinquishment at any time after being authorized by a court to do so, E. A child-placing agency that places a child for adoption may execute its consent at any time at or before the hearing on the petition for adoption, F. A minor twelve (12) years of age or older whose consent is required pursuant to Section 7503-2.1 of this title may execute a consent to adoption at any time at or before the hearing on the petition for adoption, §10-7503-2.3, A. A permanent relinquishment may be executed by a person whose consent to the adoption of a minor is required by Section 7503-2.1 of this title. The permanent relinquishment shall be in writing and shall relinquish all of that individual's rights with respect to the minor, including legal and physical custody and the right to consent to the minor's adoption, B. Permanent relinquishments may be made only to:

1. The Department of Human Services;

2. A child-placing agency; or

3. Any other person, with the written consent of the Department or court, C. A permanent relinquishment shall be in writing, executed before a judge of the district court in this state, recorded by a court reporter and contain:

1. The date, place, and time of the execution of the permanent relinquishment;

2. The name and date of birth of the person executing the permanent relinquishment;

3. The current mailing address, telephone number and social security number of the person executing the permanent relinquishment;

4. Instructions that the permanent relinquishment is irrevocable, except upon the specific grounds specified in Section 7503-2.7 of this title, upon which the permanent relinquishment can be revoked and the manner in which a motion to set aside the permanent relinquishment must be filed; and

5. The name of the person or agency as described in subsection B of this section to whom the permanent relinquishment is being given and who shall have the right to give consent to the minor's adoption, D. A permanent relinquishment must state:

1. That the person executing the document is voluntarily and unequivocally consenting to the adoption of the minor;

2. An understanding that after the permanent relinquishment is executed, it is final and, except for fraud or duress, may not be revoked or set aside for any reason except as otherwise authorized by the Oklahoma Adoption Code;

3. That the person executing the permanent relinquishment is represented by counsel or has waived any right to counsel;

4. That the execution of the permanent relinquishment does not terminate any duty of the person executing the permanent relinquishment to support the mother or the minor until the adoption is completed;

5. That the person executing the permanent relinquishment has not received or been promised any money or anything of value for the permanent relinquishment, except for payments authorized by law;

6. Whether the individual executing the permanent relinquishment is a member of an Indian tribe and whether the minor is eligible for membership or the minor is a member of an Indian tribe;

7. That the person believes the adoption of the minor is in the minor's best interest; and

8. That the person executing the permanent relinquishment has been advised that an adult adopted person born in Oklahoma, whose decree of adoption is finalized after November 1, 1997, may obtain a copy of such person's original certificate of birth unless affidavits of nondisclosure have been filed pursuant to Section 7503-2.5 of this title and that the relinquishing parent may sign an affidavit of nondisclosure, E. When it appears to the court that the parent or guardian executing a permanent relinquishment desires counsel but is indigent and cannot for that reason employ counsel, the court shall appoint counsel. In all counties having county indigent defenders, the county indigent defenders shall assume the duties of representation in such proceedings, F. The transcript of the court proceedings pursuant to this section shall be placed in the court record, G. The verification of the court shall be in substantially the following form:

I, _______________, Judge of the District Court in and for __________
County, State of Oklahoma, a Court having original adoption jurisdiction, do hereby certify, that upon this day, __________
personally appeared in open Court, before me, and orally and in writing executed the above and foregoing permanent relinquishment for adoption, In executing this acknowledgement, I further certify that the said ___________ acknowledged that the person executed said relinquishment to adoption freely and voluntarily, and that it was explained to such person by or before me, the undersigned Judge of the District Court, that in executing the relinquishment, the person was surrendering all parental authority whatsoever over the minor; and that with such explanation made to the person relinquishing the minor by or before me, the undersigned Judge of the District Court, the person executed the relinquishment, freely, voluntarily and intelligently for all uses and purposes therein set forth, I further certify that it was explained to the relinquishing person that this relinquishment is irrevocable and final except for fraud or duress and may not be revoked or set aside except and unless no Petition to Adopt is filed within nine (9) months after placement of the minor or if this or some other court decides not to terminate the rights of the other parent of the minor. I further certify that I am satisfied that the relinquishing person understands the consequences of an adoption; the relinquishing person has represented that such person has not received or been promised any money or anything of value for the giving of the permanent relinquishment except for those payments authorized by law; the relinquishing person has represented that such person is not under the influence of alcohol or medication or any other substance that affects the person's competence; the person fully understood the English language and communicated in the English language at all times during said hearing, or all information was translated into the relinquishing person's language, and was fully understood by the person; and if the relinquishing person was the biological parent, such parent was advised regarding the affidavit of nondisclosure, H. A permanent relinquishment shall be signed before any judge of a court having probate or adoption jurisdiction in this state or in the state of residence of the person executing the permanent relinquishment, I. 1. a. If an individual permanently relinquishing the child resides in a country or place other than the United States of America, other than a member of the United States Armed Services stationed abroad, the permanent relinquishment of the individual may be obtained by a written instrument signed by such person and acknowledged before an officer of the legal subdivision of the government of the place of such person's residence who is authorized to administer oaths under the laws of such country or place, b. If the foreign country's government does not involve itself in adoption matters, the permanent relinquishment may be executed before an officer of the Judge Advocate General's Office of the United States Armed Services or before an officer of the United States Embassy located in that country, provided the execution of a permanent relinquishment is not a violation of the laws of the foreign country, or a violation of international law or treaty between the foreign country's government and the United States. The permanent relinquishment shall reflect that the permanent relinquishment is not given or accepted in violation of the laws of the foreign country or in violation of international law or treaty between such foreign country's government and the United States, 2. If an individual permanently relinquishing the child is a member of the United States Armed Services stationed in a country or place other than the United States, the individual's permanent relinquishment may be acknowledged before an officer of the Judge Advocate General's Office or other legal officer possessing the authority to administer oaths, J. If the written instrument containing a permanent relinquishment is written in a language other than the English language, the petitioner must have it translated into the English language by a person qualified to do so, and must file the original instrument together with the translation with the court. The translation must be sworn to as being a true and correct translation by the person translating the document, K. Except as otherwise required by subsection I of this section, when the person permanently relinquishing the child for the purposes of adoption resides outside of Oklahoma, the permanent relinquishment by such person may be executed in that state or country in the manner set forth in the Oklahoma Adoption Code or in the manner prescribed by the laws of the state or country of such person's residence, L. 1. A court before which a permanent relinquishment has been executed may enter an order terminating parental rights of the parent of a child if such parent has executed a permanent relinquishment for adoption pursuant to the Oklahoma Adoption Code, 2. Any order terminating parental rights of a parent pursuant to this subsection shall state that the termination of parental rights shall not terminate the duty of the parent to support the child of such parent. The duty of the parent to support the child shall not be terminated until such time as a final decree of adoption has been entered, 3. Any proceedings held pursuant to this subsection shall not require the state as a necessary party, §10-7503-2.4, A. A consent to an adoption of a minor shall be in writing, recorded by a court reporter, and executed before a judge of the district court in this state and contain:

1. The date, place, and time of the execution of the consent;

2. The name and date of birth of the person executing the consent;

3. The current mailing address, telephone number, and social security number of the person executing the consent; and

4. Instructions that the consent is irrevocable, except upon the specific grounds specified in Section 7503-2.7 of this title, upon which the consent can be revoked and the manner in which a motion to set aside the consent must be filed, B. A consent must state:

1. That the person executing the document is voluntarily and unequivocally consenting to the adoption of the minor;

2. An understanding that after the consent is executed, it is final and, except for fraud or duress, may not be revoked or set aside for any reason except as otherwise authorized by the Oklahoma Adoption Code;

3. That the person executing the consent is represented by counsel or has waived any right to counsel;

4. That the execution of the consent does not terminate any duty of the person executing the consent to support the mother or the minor until the adoption is completed;

5. That the person executing the consent has not received or been promised any money or anything of value for the consent, except for payments authorized by law;

6. Whether the individual executing the consent is a member of an Indian tribe and whether the minor is eligible for membership or the child is a member of an Indian tribe;

7. That the person believes the adoption of the minor is in the minor's best interest; and

8. That the person executing the consent has been advised that an adult adopted person born in Oklahoma, whose decree of adoption is finalized after November 1, 1997, may obtain a copy of such person's original certificate of birth unless affidavits of nondisclosure have been filed pursuant to Section 7503-2.5 of this title and that the consenting parent may file an affidavit of nondisclosure, C. Before executing a consent, a minor twelve (12) years of age or older must have been informed by the court of the meaning and consequences of the adoption and the availability of social and medical history information, pursuant to Section 7504-1.2 of this title, when the minor turns eighteen (18) years of age, D. When it appears to the court that the parent or guardian executing a consent desires counsel but is indigent and cannot for that reason employ counsel, the court shall appoint counsel. In all counties having county indigent defenders, the county indigent defenders shall assume the duties of representation in such proceedings, E. The transcript of the court proceedings pursuant to this section shall be placed in the court record, F. The verification of the court shall be in substantially the following form:

I, _______________, Judge of the District Court in and for __________
County, State of Oklahoma, a Court having original adoption jurisdiction, do hereby certify, that upon this day, __________
personally appeared in open Court, before me, and orally and in writing executed the above and foregoing Appearance and Consent to Adoption, In executing this acknowledgement, I further certify that the said ___________ acknowledged that the person executed said consent to adoption freely and voluntarily, and that it was explained to such person by or before me, the undersigned Judge of the District Court, that in executing the consent the person was surrendering all parental authority whatsoever over the minor; and that with such explanation made to the consenting person by or before me, the undersigned Judge of the District Court, the person executed the consent, freely, voluntarily and intelligently for all uses and purposes therein set forth, I further certify that it was explained to the consenting person that this consent is irrevocable and final except for fraud or duress and may not be revoked or set aside except and unless no Petition to Adopt is filed within nine (9) months after placement of the minor or if this or some other court decides not to terminate the rights of the other parent of the minor. I further certify that I am satisfied that the consenting person understands the consequences of an adoption; the consenting person has represented that such person has not received or been promised any money or anything of value for the giving of consent except for those payments authorized by law; the consenting person has represented that such person is not under the influence of alcohol or medication or other substance that affects the person's competence;
the parent fully understood the English language and communicated in the English language at all times during said hearing, or all information was translated into the consenting person's language, and was fully understood by the person; and if the consenting person was the biological parent, such parent was advised regarding the affidavit of nondisclosure, G. A consent may be signed before any judge of a court having probate or adoption jurisdiction in this state or in the state of residence of the person executing the consent, H. 1. a. If an individual whose consent is necessary resides in a country or place other than the United States of America, other than a member of the United States Armed Services stationed abroad, the consent of the individual to the adoption may be obtained by a written instrument signed by such person and acknowledged before an officer of the legal subdivision of the government of the place of such person's residence who is authorized to administer oaths under the laws of such country or place, b. If the foreign country's government does not involve itself in adoption matters, the consent may be executed before an officer of the Judge Advocate General's Office of the United States Armed Services or before an officer of the United States Embassy located in that country, provided the execution of such consent is not a violation of the laws of the foreign country, or a violation of international law or treaty between the foreign country's government and the United States. The consent shall reflect that the consent is not given or accepted in violation of the laws of the foreign country or in violation of international law or treaty between such foreign country's government and the United States, 2. If an individual whose consent is necessary is a member of the United States Armed Services stationed in a country or place other than the United States, the individual's consent may be acknowledged before an officer of the Judge Advocate General's Office or other legal officer possessing the authority to administer oaths, I. If the written instrument containing a consent to adoption is written in a language other than the English language, the petitioner must have it translated into the English language by a qualified translator, and must file the original instrument together with the translation with the court. The translation must be sworn to as being a true and correct translation by the person translating the document, J. Except as otherwise required by subsection H of this section, when the person whose consent is or may be required resides outside of Oklahoma, the consent to adoption by such person may be executed in that state or country in the manner set forth in the Oklahoma Adoption Code or in the manner prescribed by the laws of the state or country of such person's residence, §10-7503-2.5, A. At the time that a written consent to adoption or permanent relinquishment is acknowledged by a biological parent before a judge of a court of this state, the judge shall advise the biological parent:

1. That an adult adopted person born in the State of Oklahoma whose decree of adoption is finalized after November 1, 1997, may obtain such person's original certificate of birth;

2. That, if affidavits of nondisclosure have been filed by both biological parents and have not been revoked by either biological parent at the time that the request for the original birth certificate is made by the adult adopted person, the original birth certificate will not be released to the adult adopted person; and

3. That if an unrevoked affidavit of nondisclosure by only one biological parent is on file with the State Registrar of Vital Statistics at the time that the request for the original birth certificate is made by the adult adopted person, identifying information regarding the parent who filed the unrevoked affidavit of nondisclosure will be deleted from the original birth certificate before it is provided to the adult adopted person. The identity of the parent who does not have an unrevoked affidavit of nondisclosure on file, if it is contained in the original birth certificate, will be disclosed, B. 1. The judge shall ascertain whether the biological parent wishes to execute an affidavit of nondisclosure. If so, an affidavit of nondisclosure form shall be made available to the biological parent by the court and may be executed in the presence of the judge at the time the written consent to adoption or relinquishment for adoption is acknowledged, 2. An affidavit of nondisclosure signed at the time a consent or relinquishment is acknowledged shall be filed in the adoption action with the consent or relinquishment for adoption, 3. Affidavit of nondisclosure forms shall also be available in each district court clerk's office and may be executed and filed by a biological parent in the court in which an adoption action is pending, 4. An affidavit of nondisclosure may be filed after a final decree of adoption has been entered, C. A biological parent who has executed an affidavit of nondisclosure may revoke the affidavit of nondisclosure at any time by filing a revocation with the State Registrar of Vital Statistics. Upon receipt of a revocation of an affidavit of nondisclosure, the State Registrar shall attach the revocation to the affidavit of nondisclosure and file it with the original certificate of birth and other records of the adoption, D. The failure to follow any provisions of this section shall not be grounds to challenge a decree of adoption, §10-7503-2.6, A. A putative father at least eighteen (18) years of age, of a minor born out of wedlock who is not an Indian child, as defined by the Oklahoma Indian Child Welfare Act, may execute an extrajudicial consent before a notary public in which the putative father waives any legal interest in the minor, disclaims any legal rights with respect to the minor, and consents to the adoption of the minor. An extrajudicial consent may be executed by a putative father before or after the birth of the minor, B. The extrajudicial consent shall contain:

1. The date, place, and time of the execution of the consent;

2. The name, current mailing address, telephone number, date of birth, and social security number of the putative father executing the consent;

3. Instructions that the consent is revocable for any reason for fifteen (15) days after the execution of the consent, the manner in which it may be revoked, and that thereafter the consent is irrevocable, except upon the specific grounds specified in Section 7503-2.7 of this title;

4. A statement that the putative father is executing the document voluntarily and is unequivocally consenting to the adoption of the minor, and that the putative father understands that the consent is final, and except for fraud or duress or the other grounds set forth in Section 7503-2.7 of this title, may not be revoked for any reason more than fifteen (15) days after execution of the document;

5. A statement that the putative father executing consent is represented by counsel or has waived the right to counsel;

6. A statement that the putative father understands that the execution of the extrajudicial consent does not terminate any duty of the person executing the extrajudicial consent to support the mother or the minor until the adoption is completed;

7. A statement that the putative father executing the consent is not a member of an Indian tribe and that the minor is not, through him, eligible for membership in an Indian tribe;

8. A statement that the putative father believes that the adoption of the minor is in the minor's best interests;

9. A statement that the putative father has been advised that an adult adopted person born in Oklahoma, whose decree of adoption is finalized after November 1, 1997, may obtain a copy of such person's original certificate of birth unless affidavits of nondisclosure have been filed pursuant to Section 7503-2.5 of this title and that the consenting putative father may file an affidavit of nondisclosure;

10. A statement that the putative father has not received or been promised any money or any thing of value for the extrajudicial consent, except for payments authorized by law; and

11. A statement that the putative father is not under the influence of alcohol or medication or other substance that affects his competence at the time of the signing of the extrajudicial consent, C. An extrajudicial consent shall be revocable for any reason for fifteen (15) calendar days after the execution of the consent before the notary public. To revoke the extrajudicial consent, the putative father must file a notice of revocation and an intent to claim paternity, an acknowledgement of paternity, or a notice of his desire to receive notice of adoption proceedings or proceedings to terminate his parental rights, with the Paternity Registry of the Department of Human Services pursuant to Section 7506-1.1 of this title, and must provide a copy of this notice to the birth mother at the time of filing the notice with the Paternity Registry of the Department of Human Services, D. The execution of an extrajudicial consent does not extinguish any duty of the putative father to support the mother or the minor until the adoption is completed, §10-7503-2.7, A. Except as otherwise provided in subsection B of this section and in Section 7503-2.6 of this title, a permanent relinquishment or consent to adoption executed pursuant to the Oklahoma Adoption Code shall be irrevocable, B. The court shall set aside a permanent relinquishment or consent to adoption or vacate an order terminating parental rights based upon the execution of a permanent relinquishment only if it would be in the best interests of the minor and if the individual who executed the permanent relinquishment or consent establishes:

1. By a preponderance of the evidence that without good cause shown, a petition to adopt was not filed within nine (9) months after the minor was placed for adoption;

2. By a preponderance of the evidence, that another consent or permanent relinquishment was not executed or that a court decided not to terminate another individual's parental relationship to the minor;
or

3. By clear and convincing evidence, before a decree of adoption is issued, or within three (3) months of the discovery of the fraud, whichever is later, that the consent was obtained by fraud or duress, C. Notice of the motion to set aside the consent or permanent relinquishment and hearing on the motion shall be provided to:

1. The person who filed for adoption of the minor;

2. The Department of Human Services or any child-placing agency participating in the adoption; and

3. To any person or agency in whose favor the consent was given, D. The court shall provide an opportunity to be heard to the person who has filed for adoption and to any agency participating in the adoption as to why the withdrawal of consent would not be in the best interest of the minor, E. The court may enter such orders as justice requires regarding the costs and legal fees of the person who filed for adoption, the agency, the Department and the person seeking that the consent or permanent relinquishment be set aside,

§10-7503-3.1, A. 1. Before or after the birth of a minor born out of wedlock, the Department of Human Services, a licensed child-placing agency, or an attorney representing prospective adoptive parents of the minor may, by in-hand service to the putative father or certified mail to the putative father, to be signed by the putative father only, notify or cause to be notified a putative father of the minor that the mother of the child is considering an adoptive placement for the minor through a Notice of Plan for Adoption. If service of the Notice of Plan for Adoption is made by in-hand service, delivery of the Notice must be made by a person licensed to make service of process in civil cases, Residence service delivered to or signed by a person residing in the home of the putative father or any other forms of substitute service shall not be sufficient service pursuant to this subsection, 2. Service of a Notice of Plan for Adoption may be served in the manner permitted in this subsection upon a putative father within this state or outside of this state, B. The Notice of Plan for Adoption shall include the following:

1. The identity of the mother, that she is pregnant and the estimated date of birth, that the notified person may be the father of the minor, and that a plan for the adoption of the minor is being considered by the mother;

2. A preaddressed form for filing by mail or in person with the Paternity Registry of the Department of Human Services and a copy to be returned to the attorney or agency who sent it. On this form, the recipient shall sign the form and indicate one of the following choices:

a. "I do not know if I am the father of this minor. I desire to receive notice of the adoption proceedings or the proceeding to terminate parental rights. I understand that this creates no evidence that could be introduced in court to prove paternity. Its only legal effect is to entitle me to notice, at the address listed on the form, of an adoption proceeding that may be filed after the birth of the minor."

b. "I hereby file my notice of intent to claim paternity. I understand that a notice of intent to claim paternity may be revoked at any time by filing a notice to disclaim with the Paternity Registry of the Department of Human Services. I also understand that an unrevoked notice of intent to claim paternity may be used as evidence in any future court proceeding in which it may be relevant, including a child support proceeding. I desire to receive notice of the adoption proceeding or the proceeding to terminate parental rights."

c. "I acknowledge paternity. I understand that this acknowledgement of paternity cannot be revoked and may be used as evidence in any future court proceeding in which it may be relevant, including a child support proceeding. I desire to receive notice of the adoption proceeding or the proceeding to terminate parental rights."

d. "I deny paternity. I am not the father of the minor and I do not want to receive notice of any adoption proceeding, or proceeding to terminate my parental rights regarding the minor. I understand that i am waiving and surrendering any parental rights in relation to the minor in connection with the adoption of the minor. I understand that my consent to the adoption will not be required."

e. "I may or may not be the father of the minor. I do not want to receive notice of any adoption proceeding, or proceeding to terminate my parental rights regarding the minor. I understand that I am waiving and surrendering any parental rights in relation to the minor in connection with the adoption of the minor. I understand that my consent to the adoption will not be required."

3. In addition, the Notice of Plan for Adoption shall inform the putative father that:

a. if the form is not received by the Department of Human Services or the attorney or child-placing agency sending it within thirty (30)
days from the date that the Notice of Plan for Adoption is served, the failure to file the form shall constitute:

(1) a waiver of the right to receive further notice of any adoption proceedings or proceedings to terminate parental rights, if any, that may be filed regarding the minor,
(2) a denial of interest in the minor, which denial shall result in the court's termination of the notified party's parental rights to the minor and approval of an adoption without his consent if an adoption proceeding is filed regarding the minor and the adoption is approved by the court,
b. if the form is received by the Paternity Registry of the Department of Human Services or the attorney or child-placing agency sending it within thirty (30) days of the date of service of the Notice of Plan for Adoption, and it indicates that any of the options specified in subparagraphs a, b and c of paragraph 2 of this subsection have been chosen, the notified person shall have a right to receive notice of any adoption proceedings or any termination of parental rights proceedings that may be filed regarding the minor, at the address given by the putative father on the form, or at an address later provided to the Paternity Registry of the Department of Human Services. The return of the form to the Paternity Registry of the Department of Human Services or the attorney or child-placing agency sending the form is the only action by which the notified person will retain the right, if any, to notice of adoption or termination of parental rights proceedings regarding the minor,
c. the filing of the enclosed form shall not, by itself, constitute the bearing of parental responsibilities, and shall not, by itself, establish parental rights,
d. the filing of the enclosed form or the failure to file the enclosed form shall not affect the duty to support the mother or child during the pregnancy or after the delivery of the minor,
e. if a petition to adopt the minor is not filed within twelve (12)
months of the placement of the minor for adoption, failure to mail the enclosed notice form shall not affect the notified person's parental rights and responsibilities,
f. the failure to give such notice shall not be grounds available to the father to establish that he was denied knowledge of the pregnancy, and

g. receipt by a putative father of a Notice of Plan for Adoption or return of the form does not obligate the mother of the minor to proceed with an adoptive placement of the minor, C. If the form is not received by the Paternity Registry of the Department of Human Services, the attorney or child-placing agency within thirty (30) days from the date that the Notice of Plan for Adoption is served, the failure to file the form shall constitute:

1. A waiver of the right to receive further notice of any adoption proceedings or proceedings to terminate parental rights, if any, that may be filed regarding the minor; and

2. A denial of interest in the minor, which denial shall result in the court's termination of the notified party's parental rights to this minor and approval of an adoption without his consent if an adoption proceeding is filed regarding this minor and the adoption is approved by the court, D. If the form is received by the Paternity Registry of the Department of Human Services, or the attorney or child-placing agency within thirty (30) days of the date of service of the Notice of Plan for Adoption, and it indicates that any of the options specified in subparagraphs a, b and c of paragraph 2 of subsection B of this section have been chosen, the putative father shall have a right to receive notice of any adoption proceedings or any termination of parental rights proceedings that may be filed regarding the minor, at the address of the putative father given on the form, or at an address later provided to the Paternity Registry of the Department of Human Services. The return of the form to the Paternity Registry of the Department of Human Services, or the attorney or child-placing agency sending the form within thirty (30) days is the only action by which the notified person will retain the right, if any, to notice of adoption or termination of parental rights proceedings regarding the minor, E. The filing of the enclosed form shall not, by itself, constitute the bearing of parental responsibilities, and shall not, by itself, establish parental rights, F. The filing of the enclosed form or the failure to file the enclosed form shall not affect the duty to support the mother or minor during the pregnancy or after the delivery of the minor, G. If a petition to adopt the minor has not been filed within twelve (12) months of placement of the minor for adoption, failure to mail the enclosed notice form shall not affect the notified person's parental rights and responsibilities, H. The failure to give such notice shall not be grounds available to the father to establish that he was denied knowledge of the pregnancy, I. Receipt by a putative father of a Notice of Plan for Adoption or return of the form does not obligate the mother of the minor to proceed with an adoptive placement of the minor, §10-7503-3.2.

§10-7503-3.2, A. 1. If a putative father files a paternity action after receiving notice of or having knowledge of a potential adoption, the putative father shall notify the attorney for the petitioner for adoption or the child-placing agency that is placing the minor for adoption that the paternity action has been filed, including, but not limited to:

a. the name of the court,
b. the case number, and

c. the date of filing, 2. If the name or location of the attorney for the petitioner for adoption or the child-placing agency placing the minor for adoption cannot be ascertained by the putative father, the putative father shall notify the petitioner for adoption. If the petitioner for adoption is also unknown to the putative father, the putative father shall notify the Paternity Registry of the Department of Human Services, B. Upon a motion of the prospective adoptive parent, the court having jurisdiction over the paternity action, if it is filed in a court of this state, shall allow the prospective adoptive parent to intervene in the paternity action and have the opportunity to be heard and seek custody and/or visitation. If a proceeding for adoption or for termination of parental rights of the putative father and a paternity action by the putative father regarding the same minor are both pending in the courts of this state, upon motion of any party, the court having jurisdiction over the paternity action shall transfer the paternity proceeding to the court in which the adoption or termination proceeding is pending, whereupon the two proceedings may be considered.

§10-7503-4.1, A. 1. If a mother of a minor born out of wedlock or a mother and father of a minor born in wedlock appear before a judge of the district court prior to the birth of the minor and request that the court issue a temporary order of custody effective after the birth of the minor to a child-placing agency licensed in Oklahoma, an attorney licensed in Oklahoma, or a prospective adoptive parent who has presented to the court a favorable preplacement home study, the court may, following the birth of the minor but prior to the execution of a consent or permanent relinquishment by such parent or parents, issue an order of temporary custody to the agency or attorney so designated or, upon review by the judge of the preplacement home study, to the prospective adoptive parent, 2. A prebirth request by a mother of a minor born out of wedlock or of the mother and father of a child born in wedlock for an order of temporary custody shall not be construed to be a consent to the adoption of the minor or a permanent relinquishment of the minor, 3. Until such time as a consent or permanent relinquishment is signed by the mother of a minor born out of wedlock or by both parents of a minor born in wedlock, pursuant to the Oklahoma Adoption Code, the mother of the minor born out of wedlock or either parent of the minor born in wedlock may apply to the court at any time to vacate the order of temporary custody. Upon such application, the court shall set aside the temporary custody order and order that the minor be returned to the parent, 4. The temporary order of custody issued pursuant to this subsection shall, by its own terms, expire no later than ninety (90) days after it has been issued by the court. Provided, the court upon application may grant an extension if, prior to the application, the mother of a minor born out of wedlock or the mother and father of a minor born in wedlock have executed a consent or permanent relinquishment and if the court has jurisdiction to adjudicate termination of parental rights or adoption proceedings pursuant to Section 7502-1.1 of this title, B. 1. After a birth mother of a minor born out of wedlock executes a consent to adoption or a permanent relinquishment pursuant to Section 7503-2.3 or 7503-2.4 of Title 10 of the Oklahoma Statutes, the court may issue an order granting temporary custody of the minor to a child-placing agency licensed in this state, an attorney licensed in this state or, upon review by the court of the preplacement home study, to a prospective adoptive parent, 2. After the mother and father of a minor born in wedlock execute a consent to adoption or permanent relinquishment pursuant to Section 7503-2.3 or 7503-2.4 of Title 10 of the Oklahoma Statutes, the court may issue an order granting temporary custody of the minor to a child-placing agency licensed in this state, an attorney licensed in this state or, upon review by the court of the preplacement home study, to a prospective adoptive parent, 3. The temporary order of custody issued pursuant to this subsection shall, by its own terms, expire no later than ninety (90) days after it has been issued by the court. Provided, the court upon application may grant an extension if the court has jurisdiction to adjudicate termination of parental rights or adoption proceedings pursuant to Section 7502-1.1 of this title, 10-7504-1.1, A. 1. Except as otherwise provided by the Oklahoma Adoption Code, before placing a minor for adoption, the Department or a child-placing agency shall compile a written medical and social history report of the minor to be adopted, containing:

a. all of the information required in subsections B and C of this section that is reasonably available from each biological parent, from any person who has had legal or physical custody of the minor, and from any other relative, or other person or entity who can provide information that cannot otherwise reasonably be obtained from the biological parents or a person who has had legal or physical custody of the minor,
b. a copy of all medical, dental and psychological records of the minor obtained from anyone who has provided medical, dental or psychological services to the minor, and

c. a copy of all educational records of the minor, 2. If a minor is not being placed for adoption through the Department or a child-placing agency, the attorney representing the adoptive parent in the adoption proceedings shall compile the report. If the adoptive parent is not represented by an attorney in a direct placement adoption, the person placing the minor for adoption shall compile the report, B. 1. The Department of Health shall prescribe the form to be used to record the medical history of the minor and the minor's biological relatives. The Department of Health shall furnish the forms to any child-placing agency, to the Department of Human Services and to any person who is authorized to place a minor for adoption or who provides services with respect to placements for adoption, 2. The medical history form shall include, but is not limited to:

a. a current medical and psychological history of the minor, including information concerning:

(1) any prenatal, neonatal, medical, dental, psychiatric or psychological diagnoses, examinations or reports,
(2) any diseases, illnesses, accidents, allergies, and congenital or birth defects,
(3) a record of any immunization and other health care received,
(4) the minor's developmental history, including the age at which the minor developed basic gross motor, fine motor, language and cognitive skills,
(5) any behavioral problems the minor has exhibited,
(6) any physical, sexual or emotional abuse suffered by the minor, and

(7) any other information necessary to determine the child's eligibility for state or federal benefits, including subsidies for adoption and other financial, medical, or similar assistance, and

b. relevant information concerning the medical and psychological history of the minor's biological parents and relatives, including information concerning:

(1) the gynecologic and obstetric history of the biological mother,
(2) the health of the biological mother during her pregnancy with the minor,
(3) the consumption of drugs, medication or alcohol by the biological father or the biological mother at the time of conception and by the biological mother during her pregnancy with the minor,
(4) the exposure of the biological mother to toxic substances, fumes or occupational hazards during her pregnancy that could affect the health of the minor,
(5) whether the minor's biological mother and biological father are related to each other and to what degree,
(6) any history of venereal disease afflicting either biological parent,
(7) physical characteristics of the biological parents, other children of either biological parent, and the biological grandparents, including age at the time of the minor's birth, height, weight, color of eyes, hair, skin and other information of a similar nature,
(8) unusual physical characteristics of any biological parent, other children of either biological parent, biological grandparents and other biological relatives,
(9) potentially inheritable genetic, psychological, or physical diseases, disorders, traits, or tendencies of the biological parents, other children of either biological parent, the biological grandparents or other biological relatives,
(10) allergies, diseases, illnesses, and other medical history of biological parents, other children of either biological parent, biological grandparents and other biological relatives, including but not limited to diabetes, high blood pressure, alcoholism, heart disease, cancer, and epilepsy or predisposition thereto,
(11) any addiction or predisposition to addiction to drugs or alcohol by the biological parents, other children of either biological parent, biological grandparents or other biological relatives,
(12) if the death of either biological parent, other children of either biological parent, or a biological grandparent has occurred, the fact of the death, the age of the decedent at the time of death, and the cause, if known,
(13) the psychological history of the biological parents, other children of either biological parent, biological grandparents and other biological relatives, including any psychiatric or psychological evaluations, the date of the evaluation, any diagnoses, and a summary of any psychiatric or psychological findings or treatment, and

(14) any other useful or unusual health-related information that the biological parents or relatives are willing to provide, C. The social history report regarding the minor to be adopted, the biological parents, other children of either biological parent and other biological relatives shall include, but is not limited to:

1. The educational history of the minor including, but not limited to, the minor's enrollment and performance in school, the results of educational testing, special educational needs of the minor, if any, and the number of years of school completed at the time of the adoption;

2. The age of the minor, the biological parents, other children of either biological parent, and the biological grandparents at the time of the adoption, and the gender of the other children of either biological parent;

3. The circumstances leading to the adoption;

4. The heritage of the minor including, but not limited to, the minor's nationality, ethnic background, tribal affiliation, if any, and race;

5. The occupation of the biological parents and the biological grandparents, but not specific titles or places of employment;

6. The talents, hobbies and special interests of the minor, the biological parents, and the biological grandparents;

7. Nonidentifying information about the extended family of the biological parents and biological grandparents;

8. The level of educational and vocational achievement of the minor's biological parents and relatives and any noteworthy accomplishments;

9. An account of the minor's past and existing relationship with any individual with whom the minor has regularly lived or visited;

10. A criminal conviction, judicial order terminating parental rights, or other proceeding in which a biological parent of the minor was alleged to have abused, neglected, abandoned or otherwise mistreated the minor to be adopted, a sibling of the minor to be adopted, or the other biological parent; and

11. A criminal conviction or delinquency adjudication of the minor, D. A report prepared pursuant to this section must indicate who prepared the report, E. 1. Whenever it is feasible, biological parents, legal or physical custodians of the minor and other biological relatives should be assisted in providing information for the medical and social history report by trained professionals employed by the Department or the licensed child-placing agency, by the attorney for the adoptive parents or by trained professionals employed by the attorney for the adoptive parent, 2. The Department or agency, attorney for the adoptive parent, or person who prepares the medical and social history report shall advise the biological parents, any other persons who submitted information for the report and the adoptive parent that additional information about the adopted person, the biological parents, and the adopted person's genetic history that becomes available may be submitted to the Department, agency, attorney, or person who prepared the report or if the location is known to them, to the clerk of the court that issues the decree of adoption. Nothing in this section shall require that the location of the court in which the adoption action is filed be revealed to the biological parents, biological relatives or other persons who submitted information for the report, if the location is not otherwise known to them, F. The court may request that a biological parent, a present or former legal or physical custodian of the minor, a biological relative, a school, or a medical, dental or psychological care provider for the child supply the information or records required by this section, G. Information contained in a medical and social history report compiled pursuant to this section shall not be used as evidence in any criminal proceeding against the individual who furnished the information. This is a use immunity and not a transactional immunity, H. 1. If the petitioner for the adoption of a minor is a stepparent of the minor and the minor will remain in the custody of one biological parent and the stepparent following the adoption, only the medical and social history of the parent whose parental rights are sought to be terminated and that parent's biological relatives must be compiled in the medical and social history report, 2. If the petitioner for the adoption of a minor is related to the child, only the medical and social history of the parent who is not related to the petitioner and the biological relatives of such parent must be completed in the medical and social history report, §10-7504-1.2, A. Whenever the disclosure of medical and social history is permitted under this section, all identifying information shall be deleted from the copy of the report or record that is disclosed, unless the court, Department, agency, attorney, or person authorized to disclose information by this section has been informed in writing by both a biological parent and an adoptive parent or prospective adoptive parent of their mutual agreement to share identifying information, When such an agreement has been made, identifying information shall be released only to the extent specifically permitted by the written agreement, B. As early as practicable before the first meeting of the prospective adoptive parent with a minor and before the prospective adoptive parent accepts physical custody of the minor, the Department or child-placing agency that is placing the minor for adoption, or the attorney for the adoptive parent in a direct placement adoption, or the person who is placing the minor for adoption in a direct placement adoption in which the adoptive parent is not represented by an attorney, shall furnish to the prospective adoptive parent a copy of the medical and social history report, containing all of the medical and social history information and records regarding the minor reasonably available at that time. If placement of the minor with the prospective adoptive parent does not subsequently occur, the prospective adoptive parent shall return the medical and social history report to the Department, agency, attorney or other person who furnished it to the prospective adoptive parent, C. Before a hearing on the petition for adoption, the Department or child-placing agency that placed the minor for adoption, or the attorney for the adoptive parent in a direct placement adoption, or the person who placed the minor for adoption in a direct placement adoption in which the adoptive parent is unrepresented, shall furnish to the adoptive parent a supplemental written report containing information or records required by Section 19 of this act, which was unavailable before the minor was placed for adoption, but which becomes reasonably available to the Department, agency, attorney, or person who placed the minor after the placement, D. A petition for adoption may not be granted until a copy of the medical and social history report is filed with the court. If the court finds that information or records required by Section 19 of this act cannot be obtained by the reasonable efforts of the Department or child-placing agency placing the minor, or by the attorney for the adoptive parent in a direct placement adoption, or by the person who placed the minor for adoption in a direct placement adoption in which the adopted parent is unrepresented, the court may accept the report and proceed with the adoption, E. 1. Any additional information about an adopted person, the adopted person's biological parents, or the adopted person's genetic history that is submitted to the clerk of the district court that issues the final decree of adoption, before or after the final decree of adoption is issued, shall be made a part of the court's permanent record of the adoption, pursuant to Section 19 of this act. No filing fee shall be charged for filing this supplemental information with the court clerk, 2. An adoptive parent, a biological parent, or an adult adopted person may file with the clerk of the district court that issued the final decree of adoption a notice of the individual's current mailing address. A legal guardian of an adopted minor may file with the clerk of the district court that issued the final decree of adoption a notice of the guardian's current mailing address and proof of legal guardianship. No filing fee shall be charged for filing this notification of address or guardianship with the court clerk, 3. Upon filing with the court clerk supplemental information concerning the biological parents or the adopted person's genetic history, the court clerk shall send notice by ordinary mail, at the most recent address, if any, listed in the court records, to the adoptive parent or legal guardian of a minor adopted person or to the adult adopted person. The notice shall state that supplemental information has been received and is available from the court clerk upon request, 4. Upon filing with the court clerk supplemental information concerning the adopted person that may be genetically significant for a biological parent or biological relative, the court clerk shall send notice by ordinary mail, at the most recent address, if any, listed in the court records, to the biological parent. The notice shall state that supplemental information has been received and is available from the court clerk upon request, F. If any additional information about an adopted person, the adopted person's biological parents, or the adopted person's genetic history is submitted to the Department, agency, attorney, or person who prepared the original report, the Department, agency, attorney, or person shall:

1. Retain this supplemental information with their other records of the adoption for as long as these records are maintained;

2. File a copy of the supplemental information with the clerk of the court that issued the decree of adoption, to be made a part of the court's permanent record of the adoption pursuant to subsection E of this section; and

3. Furnish a copy of the supplemental information to:

a. the adoptive parent or current legal guardian of the child, if the adopted person is under the age of eighteen (18), or the adult adopted
person, if the location of the adoptive parent, guardian or adult adopted person is known to the Department, agency, attorney, or person, or

b. the biological parents, if the supplemental information is submitted by an adoptive parent or adopted person and concerns genetically significant information about the adopted person that is relevant to the health or childbearing decisions of the biological parents or other biological relatives, if the location of the biological parents is known to the Department, agency, attorney, or person, G. 1. The clerk of the district court that issues the final adoption decree or the Department, agency, attorney, or person who prepared the medical and social history report shall provide a copy of the medical and social history report and any additional medical and social history information in its possession to the following persons upon request:

a. the adoptive parent or legal guardian of a minor adopted person,
b. an adopted person who has attained eighteen (18) years of age, and

c. an adult whose biological mother's and biological father's parental rights were terminated and who was never adopted, 2. The clerk of the district court that issues the final adoption decree or the Department, agency, attorney, or person who prepared the medical and social history report shall provide a copy of the medical report and any additional medical information in its possession to the following persons upon request:

a. an adult direct descendant of a deceased adopted person or of a deceased person whose biological mother's and biological father's parental rights were terminated and who was never adopted, and

b. the parent or guardian of a minor direct descendant of a deceased adopted person or of a deceased person whose biological mother's and biological father's rights were terminated and who was never adopted, 3. The clerk of the district court that issues the final adoption decree or the Department, child-placing agency, attorney, or person who prepared the medical and social history report shall provide to the following persons upon request, a copy of genetically significant supplemental information about an adopted person, or about a person whose parents' parental rights were terminated, which became available subsequent to the issuance of the decree of adoption or termination order:

a. a biological parent or biological relative of an adopted person, and

b. a biological parent or biological relative of a person whose biological mother's and biological father's rights were terminated and who was never adopted, 4. The clerk of the district court that issues the final adoption decree shall provide a copy of any medical and social history information contained in the court records to the Department, or child-placing agency that placed the minor for adoption or to the attorney representing the adoptive parent upon request, 5. A copy of the report and supplemental medical and social history information may not be furnished under this subsection to a person who cannot furnish satisfactory proof of identity and legal entitlement to receive a copy, 6. A person requesting a copy of a report or other medical and social history information under this subsection shall pay only the actual and reasonable costs of providing the copy, H. The Department, a child-placing agency, or an attorney for an adoptive parent who facilitated or participated in an adoption proceeding prior to the effective date of this act shall be subject to the same requirements and duties set forth in subsections F and G of this section that are required in those subsections for the Department, agency, or attorney who prepared the medical or social history, §10-7505-1.1, A. Unless otherwise ordered by the district court exercising jurisdiction over the adoption proceeding, all hearings held in proceedings pursuant to the Oklahoma Adoption Code shall be confidential and shall be held in closed court without admittance of any person other than interested parties and their counsel, B. All papers, records, and books of proceedings in adoption cases and any papers, records, and books relating to such proceedings:

1. Shall be kept as a permanent record of the court and maintained in a separate file by the court clerk; and

2. Shall be confidential and shall not be open to inspection or copy except as authorized in Sections 18, 38, 45 and 46 of this act or upon order of a court of record for good cause shown, C. Upon application and for good cause being shown, any court of record may, by written order reciting its findings, permit the necessary information to be released, or may restrict the purposes for which it shall be used, D. The provisions of this section shall not prohibit persons employed by the court, the Department of Human Services, a child-placing agency, an attorney participating or assisting in a direct placement adoption or any physician, minister or other person or entity assisting or participating in an adoption from providing partial or complete identifying information between a biological parent and prospective adoptive or adoptive parent if a biological parent and a prospective adoptive or adoptive parent mutually agree to share specific identifying information and each gives written, signed notice of their agreement to the court, the Department of Human Services, the child-placing agency, or any attorney participating or assisting in the direct placement adoption pursuant to the Oklahoma Adoption Code, E. Any person in charge of adoption records or having access to adoption records or information who discloses any information, including, but not limited to, all records and reports relevant to the case and any records and reports of examination of the minor's parent or other custodian pertaining to an adoption proceeding, contrary to the provisions of this section, upon conviction thereof, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor,

§10-7505-1.2, A. 1. In a proceeding pursuant to the Oklahoma Adoption Code, the court shall appoint an attorney for a minor in a contested proceeding pursuant to the Oklahoma Adoption Code and may appoint an attorney for a child in an uncontested proceeding, 2. The attorney shall be charged with the representation of the child, To that end, the attorney shall make such further investigation as the attorney deems necessary to ascertain the facts, to interview witnesses, examine and cross-examine witnesses at the preliminary hearing and trial, make recommendations to the court, and participate further in the proceedings to the degree appropriate for adequately representing the child, 3. The attorney shall be given access to all reports relevant to the case and to any reports of examination of the child's parents or other custodian made pursuant to this section, 4. Upon approval of the court, the attorney may be allowed a reasonable fee for services provided by this section, B. 1. The court may appoint a separate guardian ad litem for the minor in a contested proceeding and shall appoint a separate guardian ad litem upon the request of a party, the minor, the attorney of the minor or a person or agency having physical or legal custody of the child, 2. The guardian ad litem shall not be a district attorney, an employee of the office of the district attorney, an employee of the court, an employee of a juvenile bureau, or an employee of any public agency having duties or responsibilities towards the minor, 3. The guardian ad litem shall be appointed to objectively advocate on behalf of the minor and act as an officer of the court to investigate all matters concerning the best interests of the minor. In addition to other duties required by the court and as specified by the court, a guardian ad litem shall have the following responsibilities:

a. review relevant documents, reports and other information,
b. meet with and/or observe the child,
c. consider the child's wishes, as appropriate,
d. interview parents, caregivers and others with knowledge relevant to the case,
e. advocate for the minor's best interests by participating in appropriate aspects of the case and advocating for appropriate community and other services when necessary,
f. maintain the confidentiality of information related to the case,
g. monitor the minor's best interests throughout any judicial proceeding, and

h. advise the court of his or her findings and recommendations, if any, and the facts upon which they are based, 4. The guardian ad litem shall be given access to the court file and access to all records and reports relevant to the case and to any records and reports of examination of the minor's parent or other custodian, as specified by the court, subject to such protective orders regarding identifying information as the court deems advisable, 5. Any person participating in a judicial proceeding as a guardian ad litem shall be presumed prima facie to be acting in good faith and in so doing shall be immune from any civil liability that otherwise might be incurred or imposed, §10-7505-1.3, Whenever the Oklahoma Adoption Code requires that an order setting the date of hearing and giving notice thereof be signed by a judge, the chief judge in the county may, by judicial order, provide that such order or notice may be signed by the court clerk or the deputy of the court clerk affixing the signature of the court clerk or deputy beneath the place where the judge's name appears followed with the word "by:" and then followed with the signing officer's title,

10-7505-1.4, Any petitions filed with the court pursuant to the Oklahoma Adoption Code when docketed shall have priority over all cases pending on said docket. Any other proceedings concerning the adoption of a child shall be expedited by the court,

§10-7505-2.1, A. 1. Prior to the filing of a petition for adoption, an agency, attorney, or prospective adoptive parent to whom a mother has permanently relinquished a minor born out of wedlock may file a petition for the termination of the parental rights of a putative father of the child. The petition shall be filed with the district court of the county in which the relinquishment was executed or in the county in which the putative father, the petitioner, or the minor resides at the time of the filing of the petition, 2. The affidavit of expenses required by subsection A of Section 7505-3.2 of this title is not required to be attached to a petition filed pursuant to this section, nor must it be filed prior to issuance of an order terminating parental rights entered in a proceeding brought under this section, B. 1. Notice of the hearing on the petition to terminate parental rights and a copy of the petition shall be served upon the putative father in the same manner as summons is served in civil cases, not less than fifteen (15) days prior to the hearing, 2. The notice shall contain the name of the putative father, or if unknown, the name of the minor, the date of birth of the minor, the date of the hearing, and the ground or grounds for which termination of parental rights is sought. The notice shall apprise the putative father of his legal rights and shall include a clear statement that failure to appear at the hearing shall constitute a denial of interest in the minor which denial may result, without further notice of this proceeding or any subsequent proceeding, in the termination of his parental rights and the transfer of the minor's care, custody or guardianship or in the minor's adoption, 3. If the identity or whereabouts of a putative father is unknown, the court must determine whether the putative father can be identified or located. Following an inquiry pursuant to Section 7505-4.3 of this title, if the court finds that the identity or whereabouts of the putative father cannot be ascertained, and this fact is attested to by affidavit of the permanently relinquishing mother or the legal custodian or guardian of the child, it shall order that notice be given by publication and, if the identity is known, that a copy be mailed to the last-known address of the putative father. The notice shall be published once pursuant to the laws relating to service of notice by publication, in the county in which the action to terminate parental rights is brought, and the hearing shall not be held for at least fifteen (15) days after publication of the notice. When notice is given by publication, the order terminating parental rights shall not become final for a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of the order, 4. A putative father may waive his right to notice pursuant to this section. The waiver signed by the putative father shall include a statement affirming that the putative father signing the waiver understands that the waiver shall constitute grounds for the termination of the parental rights of such putative father pursuant to the provisions of this section and Section 7505-4.2 of this title. a putative father may also waive his right to notice pursuant to this section, by signing an extrajudicial consent pursuant to Section 7503-2.6 of this title, or by waiving notice on a form filed with the Paternity Registry of the Department of Human Services, or by failing to register with the Paternity Registry of the Department of Human Services after receiving a Notice of Plan for Adoption pursuant to Section 7503-3.1 of this title, C. When a putative father appears at the hearing and desires counsel but is indigent and cannot for that reason employ counsel, the court shall appoint counsel. In all counties having county indigent defenders, the county indigent defenders shall assume the duties of the representation in such proceedings, D. At the hearing on the petition to terminate parental rights brought pursuant to this section, the court may, if it is in the best interest of the minor:

1. Accept a permanent relinquishment or consent to adoption executed by the putative father of the minor pursuant to Sections 7503-2.1, 7503-2.3 and 7503-2.4 of this title; or

2. Terminate any parental rights which the putative father may have upon any of the grounds provided in Section 7505-4.2 of this title for declaring a consent unnecessary, E. 1. If the court at the hearing determines that the putative father is the biological father of the minor, that the adoption requires the consent of the putative father, that the putative father will not consent, and the court does not terminate the parental rights of the putative father, then the court shall schedule a separate hearing to issue an appropriate order for the legal and physical custody of the minor according to the best interests of the minor, if the court has jurisdiction to issue a custody order. Provided, no such hearing shall be scheduled if a preexisting custody order remains in effect, 2. The court shall certify that the child-placing agency or the attorney who filed the petition to terminate parental rights, the putative father, and any prospective adoptive parents have received notice of the date of the custody hearing at least fifteen (15) days prior to the date of the hearing. A biological mother who has signed a consent or permanent relinquishment must be served with notice of the date of the custody hearing, by the party who filed the petition for termination, in the same manner as summons is served in civil cases at least fifteen (15) days prior to the date of the hearing, 3. Upon motion to intervene, the court shall join any person or entity entitled to notice under paragraph 2 of this subsection who is not already a party to the proceeding, 4. At the hearing, the court may award custody to the biological mother, the biological father, the biological parents, if they are married, the prospective adoptive parent, or the Department of Human Services or other licensed child-placing agency, if the Department or agency had legal custody when the petition was filed, according to Section 21.1 of this title, in the best interests of the child, 5. The child shall be represented at this hearing by an attorney pursuant to Section 7505-1.2 of this title, F. The court shall terminate the rights of a putative father if he fails to appear at the hearing on the petition to terminate his parental rights or if he has waived notice pursuant to paragraph 4 of subsection B of this section, G. No order of the court shall be vacated, set aside, or annulled upon the application of any person who was properly served with notice in accordance with this section but failed to appear unless the applicant can establish by clear and convincing evidence that such failure to appear was due to unavoidable circumstances. Such application must be filed within ten (10) days of the date of the hearing at which the applicant failed to appear. No order of the court shall be vacated, set aside, or annulled upon the application of any person who waived notice pursuant to paragraph 4 of subsection B of this section, H. A proceeding pursuant to this section for termination of parental rights shall be heard by the court without a jury, I. An appeal may be taken from any final order, judgment, or decree rendered pursuant to this section to the Supreme Court by any person aggrieved thereby, in the manner provided for appeals from the court as provided in this subsection, 1. In an appeal concerning the termination of parental rights pursuant to this section, the appellant's designation of record shall be filed in the trial court within ten (10) days after the date of the judgment. Appellee's counter designation of record shall be filed in the trial court ten (10) days after appellant's designation of record is filed in the trial court, 2. All appeals of cases concerning the termination of parental rights pursuant to this section shall be initiated by filing a petition in error in the Supreme Court within thirty (30) days of the filing of the order, judgment, or decree appealed from. The record on appeal shall be completed within thirty (30) days from the filing of the petition in error. Any response to the petition in error shall be filed within twenty (20) days from the filing of the petition in error, 3. The briefing schedule is established as follows:

a. appellant's brief in chief shall be filed twenty (20) days after the trial court clerk notifies all parties that the record is complete and such notice has been filed in the office of the Clerk of the Supreme Court,
b. appellee's answer brief shall be filed fifteen (15) days after the appellant's brief in chief is filed, and

c. appellant's reply brief may be filed within ten (10) days after the appellee's answer brief is filed, J. The pendency of an appeal shall not suspend the order of the district court regarding a minor, nor shall it remove the minor from the custody of that court or of the person, institution, or agency to whose care such minor has been committed, unless the Supreme Court shall so order, K. Any appeal when docketed should have priority over all cases pending on said docket. Adjudication of the appeals and in any other proceedings concerning the relinquishment of the child or the termination of parental rights pursuant to this section shall be expedited by the Supreme Court, L. 1. The preadoption termination of parental rights pursuant to this section terminates the parent-child relationship, including the parent's right to the custody of the child and the parent's right to visit the child, the parent's right to control the child's training and education, the necessity for the parent to consent to the adoption of the child, the parent's right to the earnings of the child, and the parent's right to inherit from or through the child. Provided, that this subsection shall not in any way affect the right of the child to inherit from the parent, 2. Termination of parental rights shall not terminate the duty of the putative father whose rights have been terminated to support the child unless the court determines he is not the biological father. The duty of a putative father to support his minor child shall not be terminated until such time as a final decree of adoption has been entered,

§10-7505-3.1.

§10-7505-3.1, A. A petition for adoption shall be verified by the petitioner, and shall specify:

1. The full names, ages and places of residence of the petitioner or petitioners and, if married, the place and date of the marriage;

2. When the petitioner acquired or intends to acquire custody of the minor and from what person or agency custody is to be acquired;

3. The date, place of birth, gender and race of the minor;

4. The name used for the minor in the proceeding and, if a change in name is desired, the new name requested;

5. That it is the desire of the petitioner that the relationship of parent and child be established between the petitioner and the minor;

6. A full description and statement of value of all property owned or possessed by the minor, if any;

7. The name or relationship of the minor to any individual who has executed a consent, extrajudicial consent for adoption or a permanent relinquishment to the adoption, and the name or relationship to the minor of any individual whose consent, extrajudicial consent for adoption or permanent relinquishment may be required, and any fact or circumstance that may excuse the lack of consent;

8. That a previous petition by the petitioner to adopt has or has not been made in any court, and its disposition;

9. That a copy of the preplacement home study completed pursuant to subsection A of Sections 7505-5.1 and 7505-5.3 of this title is attached to or filed with the petition. If the preplacement home study has not been completed, the petition shall specify that a waiver has been signed by a court pursuant to subsection B of Section 7505-5.1 of this title, and that a copy of the waiver is attached to or filed with the petition; or shall include a statement regarding why the preplacement home study is not required pursuant to subsection C of Section 7505-5.1 of this title; or shall specify that the minor is not yet in the physical custody of the petitioner;

10. Whether any other home study or professional custody evaluation has been conducted regarding one or both of the petitioners, whether performed for this adoption or for any other purpose. If such a study or evaluation has been completed, a copy of the study or evaluation shall be attached to the petition, if reasonably available;

11. A description of any previous court order, litigation or pending proceeding known to the petitioner concerning custody of or visitation with the minor or adoption of the minor and any other fact known to the petitioner and needed to establish the jurisdiction of the court;

12. The county in which the minor is currently residing, the places where the minor has lived within the last five (5) years and the name and present addresses, if known, of the persons with whom the minor has lived during that period, and the name of any person, if known, not a party to the proceeding who has physical custody of the minor or claims to have custody or visitation rights with respect to the minor;
and

13. A statement that to the best of the petitioner's actual knowledge and belief, as of the date of filing, the minor is or is not an Indian child, as defined by the Oklahoma Indian Child Welfare Act, and identification of the minor's known or suspected Indian tribe, if any, B. Any written consent, extrajudicial consent for adoption or permanent relinquishment required by the Oklahoma Adoption Code may be attached to the petition, or may be filed, after the filing of the petition,

§10-7505-3.2, A. 1. An affidavit shall be attached to the petition for adoption, or may be filed after the filing of the petition for adoption, but prior to the final decree of adoption, which discloses to the court all of the costs, funds, or monies expended by the adoptive family or expected to be expended in connection with the adoption of a minor, 2. No final decree of adoption shall be entered until the court is satisfied that all costs and expenses have been disclosed, are reasonable, and that the costs and expenses do not violate the provisions of subsection B of this section. Upon its review of the affidavit of monies expended, the court shall in writing disapprove any expenditure that the court deems unreasonable or in violation of Sections 865 through 869 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes and, to the extent necessary to comply with Oklahoma law, shall order reimbursement of any consideration given in violation of Sections 865
through 869 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes. Payments made pursuant to this section shall not be a violation of Sections 865
through 869 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes, B. 1. Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, the following list of adoption-related costs and expenses specified in this paragraph may be deemed proper items for a person to pay in connection with an adoption:

a. reasonable attorney fees and court costs,
b. reasonable medical expenses for birth mother and minor to be adopted,
c. reasonable adoption counseling expenses for birth parents before and after the birth of the minor, not to exceed six (6) months from placement of the minor,
d. reasonable fees of a licensed child-placement agency,
e. in cases of extraordinary need, reasonable expenses for necessities of the birth mother that are incurred during or as a result of the pregnancy, not to exceed two (2) months from placement of the minor,
f. reasonable costs for travel or transportation of the birth mother or minor as same is incurred for medical or adoption placement needs,
g. reasonable expenses for a home study, and

h. reasonable expenses legally required by any governmental entity related to the adoption of a minor, 2. In addition, all expenses approved by the court should be commensurate with other customary fees for similar services by persons of equivalent experience and training where the services are performed. Any services provided outside this state shall be allowed in an amount as if the services had been performed within the State of Oklahoma, 3. The provisions of this subsection shall apply to living and transportation expenses incurred after the biological mother of the minor contacts the child-placing agency or attorney for adoption services, 4. The provisions of this subsection shall not prohibit a court from extending any time period, or including any additional costs and expenses in connection with an adoption other than those specified in this subsection based on unusual circumstances or need, 5. Except as otherwise ordered by the court except for good cause shown, all payments made pursuant to this section shall be paid directly to the third-party provider of services or goods, C. Any person desiring to pay costs and expenses to or on behalf of a birth parent is authorized to expend an initial amount not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for such costs and expenses without first obtaining court approval as required by paragraph 1 of subsection D of this section. Any such costs and expenses shall be disclosed as is otherwise required by the Oklahoma Adoption Code, D. 1. Except for the amount authorized by subsection C of this section, the payment of any living or transportation expenses for benefit of the birth mother as authorized in subparagraphs e and f of paragraph 1 of subsection B of this title shall be approved in advance by the court, 2. The person, attorney, or licensed child-placing agency desiring to pay living or transportation expenses on behalf of a birth mother which exceed the amount in subsection C of this section shall file a petition for an order approving payment of adoption-related expenses, 3. The petition for an order approving payment of adoption-related expenses may be filed in the district court where the birth mother resides, in the county where the petitioner, attorney, or child-placing agency is located, or in the county where the adoption petition is to be filed, 4. The petition shall be captioned: "In the matter of Baby (name)."
The petition shall include a listing of all anticipated living or transportation expenses to be paid on behalf of the birth mother for which court approval is being sought. If additional expenditures not previously authorized by the court are needed on behalf of the birth mother, an amended petition may be filed with the court, 5. The petition shall be heard by the court within ten (10) days of filing. The court clerk shall charge the same cost for a petition for payment of expenses as is charged for the filing of an adoption petition. In the event an adoption petition is later filed in the same county, the adoption petition shall be filed as an amended petition within the same case in which payment for expenses was approved and no additional court costs shall be required, 6. Any order authorizing payment shall be attached to a petition for adoption. If no adoption petition is filed, the court shall retain jurisdiction to enter any orders deemed appropriate regarding the reimbursement of costs and expenses paid. If the child is placed for adoption outside the State of Oklahoma, any such order shall be submitted to the Interstate Compact of the Placement of Children and to the court in the other state where the petition for adoption is to be filed,

§10-7505-4.1, A. If a consent to adoption or permanent relinquishment for adoption has not been obtained from both parents of a minor who is the subject of a petition for adoption, and the rights of the nonconsenting parent or parents have not previously been terminated, the petitioner for adoption, a consenting parent, or a legal guardian or legal custodian of the minor to be adopted must file an application to the court stating the reason that the consent or relinquishment of the parent or parents is not necessary. In the alternative, if the nonconsenting parent is a putative father of a minor born out of wedlock, the petitioner for adoption, a consenting parent, or a legal guardian or legal custodian of the minor may file an application to terminate the parental rights of the putative father. The grounds for terminating a putative father pursuant to this section shall be identical to the grounds for permitting an adoption without the consent of a parent, pursuant to Section 7505-4.2 of this title, B. A hearing on an application for adoption without consent or an application to terminate parental rights cannot be combined with the hearing on the application for a final decree of adoption. For good cause shown, a hearing on the application for a final decree of adoption may be heard as early as the same day as a hearing on an application to terminate parental rights, without prejudice to the rights of any parties to appeal from the order terminating parental rights, C. 1. Prior to the hearing on the application to permit the adoption of the minor without the consent or relinquishment of a parent, or the application to terminate the rights of a putative father filed pursuant to this section, notice of the hearing on the application and a copy of the application shall be served upon the parent or putative father who is the subject of the application in the same manner as summons is served in civil cases, not less than fifteen (15) days prior to the hearing, 2. The notice shall contain the name of the parent, putative father, or if the father is unknown, the name of the child, date of birth of the child, the date of the hearing, and the ground or grounds for which application for adoption without consent or relinquishment or termination of parental rights is sought. The notice shall apprise the parent or putative father of the parent's legal rights and shall include a clear statement that failure to appear at the hearing shall constitute a denial of interest in the child, which denial may result, without further notice of this proceeding or any subsequent proceeding, in the granting of the application for adoption without consent or permanent relinquishment or in the termination of the putative father's parental rights and in the child's adoption, 3. If the identity or whereabouts of a parent or putative father are unknown, the court must determine whether the parent or putative father can be identified or located. Following an inquiry pursuant to Section 7505-4.3 of this title, if the court finds that the identity or whereabouts of the putative father cannot be ascertained, and this fact is attested to by affidavit of the consenting parent, legal guardian or legal custodian of the minor, it shall order that notice be given by publication and, if the identity is known, that a copy be mailed to the last-known address of the parent or putative father. The notice shall be published once pursuant to the laws relating to the service of notice by publication in the county in which the petition to adopt is filed, and the hearing shall not be held for at least fifteen (15) days after publication of the notice. When notice is given by publication, an order terminating parental rights shall not become final for a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of the order, 4. A parent or putative father may waive such person's right to notice pursuant to this section. The waiver, signed by the parent or putative father, shall include a statement affirming that the person signing the waiver understands that the waiver shall constitute grounds for ordering adoption without consent of the parent or for the termination of the parental rights of a putative father pursuant to the provisions of this section and Section 7505-4.2 of this title. A putative father may waive his right to notice under this section, by signing an extrajudicial consent pursuant to Section 7503-2.6 of this title, or by waiving notice on a form filed with the Paternity Registry of the Department of Human Services, or by failing to register with the Paternity Registry of the Department of Human Services after receiving a Notice of Plan for Adoption pursuant to Section 7503-3.1 of this title, D. When a parent or putative father appears at the hearing and desires counsel but is indigent and cannot for that reason employ counsel, the court shall appoint counsel. In all counties having county indigent defenders, the county's indigent defenders shall assume the duties of representation in such proceedings, E. At the hearing on an application to permit adoption without the consent or relinquishment of a parent, the court may determine whether the minor is eligible for adoption pursuant to Section 7505-4.2 of this title. At the hearing on an application to terminate the parental rights of a putative father, the court may, if it is in the best interests of the minor, determine that the consent of the putative father to the adoption of the minor is not required, and terminate any parental rights which the putative father may have, as provided in Section 7505-4.2 of this title, F. The court shall terminate the parental rights of a putative father if he fails to appear at the hearing on the application to terminate his parental rights or if he has waived notice pursuant to paragraph 4
of subsection C of this section, G. A proceeding pursuant to this section for determination of necessity of parental consent or for termination of parental rights shall be heard by the court without a jury, H. No order of the court shall be vacated, set aside, or annulled upon the application of any person who was properly served with notice in accordance with this section but failed to appear, unless the applicant has established by clear and convincing evidence that such failure to appear was due to unavoidable circumstances. Such application must be filed within ten (10) days of the date of the hearing at which the applicant failed to appear. No order of the court shall be vacated, set aside or annulled upon the application of any person who waived notice pursuant to paragraph 4 of subsection C of this section, I. 1. a. An appeal may be taken from any final order, judgment, or decree terminating parental rights rendered pursuant to this section to the Supreme Court by any person aggrieved thereby, in the manner provided for appeals from the court as provided in this subsection, b. An appeal from an order determining a child eligible for adoption which does not terminate parental rights may be taken in the same manner provided for appeals from the court as provided in this subsection. The failure of a parent to appeal from an order declaring a child eligible for adoption without consent of the parent which does not terminate parental rights shall not preclude such parent from asserting error in the order after the final decree is rendered, 2. In an appeal concerning the termination of parental rights for purposes of adoption pursuant to this section or from an order determining a child eligible for adoption which does not terminate parental rights pursuant to this section, the appellant's designation of record shall be filed in the trial court within ten (10) days after the date of the judgment or order. Appellee's counter designation of record shall be filed in the tri