Adoption Agencies, Information and Resources in Hawaii

The Hawaiian Islands may be home to enormous volcanoes and famous beaches but they’re also home to families seeking adoption opportunities and resources to begin their journey. Whether you are looking to adopt, looking to place your child for adoption, or searching for information about home studies and where to begin the process, the following information will be your guide to all things adoption in Hawaii.

What you need to know about adopting a baby in Hawaii

To get started on your adoption journey, it is important to understand some of the fundamental aspects and frequently asked question about the process. Here are a few things to know when considering adoption in Hawaii.

What are the laws and requirements for adopting a baby in Hawaii?

In Hawaii, a single person or married couple can adopt a child, if they are at least 18 years old. Prospective Adoptive Parents must be able to support the child financially and their home must provide a safe environment for the child. All people hoping to adopt in Hawaii must also pass a home study before a child can be placed in their home.

How much does it cost to adopt a baby in Hawaii?

The cost to adopt a child in Hawaii can vary vastly depending on the type of adoption you decide to pursue. While private domestic adoption and international adoption may require agency fees, becoming a Foster Parent may only cost you a small licensing fee.

Expenses related to adoption are regulated in court, but Prospective Adoptive Parents are allowed to pay for Birth Mother related expenses like legal fees and the cost of living.

How do you become a Foster Parent in Hawaii?

To become Foster Parent in Hawaii, you have to apply for the required license. To obtain the license, you must:

• Complete a home study
• Complete Foster Parent training
• Be financially able to provide for the child
• Be able to provide a safe, loving and supportive environment for the child
• Pass an FBI background check, state criminal history check, and a child abuse and neglect registry check
• Have enough space and meet of home safety regulations required by law

What you need to know about placing your child for adoption in Hawaii

If you are considering placing your child for adoption, understanding the rights of the presumed father as well as knowing your rights may relieve some of your worry. Here are a few things to know when considering adoption for your child in Hawaii.

Who must consent to an adoption in Hawaii?

Written consent to adoption in Hawaii must be given by the following:

• The mother of the child
• A legal father
• A presumed father
• An adjudicated father whose relationship to the child has been determined by court
• A concerned natural father who is not the legal, presumed, or adjudicated father but who has demonstrated a reasonable degree of concern, interest, or responsibility as to the welfare of the child:
  • During the first 30 days of the child’s birth
  • Prior to the execution of a valid consent by the mother of the child
  • Prior to the placement of the child with Adoptive Parents
• Any person or agency having legal custody of the child
• The court having jurisdiction of the custody of the child, if the legal guardian is not empowered to consent to adoption
• Any child ages 10 or older who is up for adoption, unless the court over rule the consent and decides it is in not in the child’s best interest.

When is consent not necessary for adoption in Hawaii?

In Hawaii, consent to adopt is not required from the following:

• A parent who has deserted the child for 90 days without affording means of identification
• A parent who voluntarily surrendered the care and custody of the child for two years
• A parent who has failed to communicate or provide support for their child for a year while the child was in another’s custody
• A natural father who was not married to the child’s mother at the time of birth and has not established paternity.
• A parent whose parental rights have been judicially terminated
• A parent judicially declared mentally ill, mentally retarded, or incapacitated from giving consent
• Any legal guardian who is found by the court to be withholding consent unreasonably
• A parent whose rights have been divested by an award of permanent custody pursuant
• A parent of a child who has been in custody of a petitioner for at least one year and who entered the U.S. because of extraordinary circumstances in the child’s country of origin, making the identity of the child’s parents undiscoverable
• A parent of an adult who is eligible for adoption

How and when can Birth Parents consent to adoption in Hawaii?

Consent to adoption can be given any time after the Birth Mother’s sixth month of pregnancy; however, no judgment can be made until after the child is born and a written reaffirmation of consent is given. The Birth Parents giving consent must also have 10 days’ notice of a proposal of the entry of judgment in court and a chance to be heard.

Can a Birth Parent revoke their consent to adoption in Hawaii?

Consent may not be revoked by the Birth Parents once the child is placed with its Adoptive Parents, unless the court decides it is in the child’s best interest.

What rights do Birth Fathers have in the adoption process in Hawaii?

In Hawaii, parental rights are given to the presumed father of the child if:

• He was married to the Birth Mother during the child’s birth or the child was born within 300 days of the termination of their marriage
• While the child is under the age of majority, he receives the child into his home and openly holds out the child as his natural child
• He acknowledges his paternity of the child in writing
• He submits to court-ordered genetic testing and the results do not exclude the possibility of his paternity

Home study and Post Placement Requirements in Hawaii

Prospective Adoptive Parents in Hawaii are required to complete a home study before beginning the adoption process and a postplacement assessment after the adoption takes place. Both will assess your ability to provide a safe and stable environment for the child you wish to adopt.

What is a home study and what happens during the process?

A home study is a critical component to the adoption process because it ensures the Prospective Adoptive Family is ready and able to provide for a child.

During a home study in Hawaii, the department will do background checks and child abuse and neglect registry checks for all adults residing in the Prospective Adoptive home. The department may also conduct interviews with the family, check for financial stability, and confirm the safety of the home.

Who oversees a home study in Hawaii and who is included in it?

A home study in Hawaii will not be approved for the following reasons:

• A Prospective Parent or adult in the household has a history of child abuse or neglect
• A Prospective Parent or adult in the household has been convicted of a crime that may pose a risk to the health, safety or well-bring of the child

What are the home study requirements for adopting a baby from another state?

Any out-of-home placement of a child outside the State is subject to the provisions of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children.

What is a post placement requirement and what happens during the process?

A post placement study is put in place to ensure the adoption went smoothly and that the Adoptive Family is still able to provide for the child as they were when they completed a home study.

In Hawaii, the court may require in-home visitations or supervision of the Adoptive Family and adoptee post-adoption.

Hawaii Adoption Agencies and Professionals

Hawaii is home to some amazing adoption professionals who are ready to get your journey started. Whether you are interested in adopting a child or seeking resources to place your child for adoption, these professionals will guide you through the legal pathways and offer you support throughout your journey:

Hawaii International Child(808) 589-2367

Family Programs Hawaii(808) 545-1130

Things to do in Hawaii

If your adoption journey leads you to Islands of Hawaii, be sure to visit some of their most treasured hot spots:

Pearl Harbor Memorial in Oahu

Kualoa Ranch in Oahu

Waikiki Beach in Oahu

North Shore in Oahu

Dole Plantation in Oahu

A note from Adoption Network Law Center

No matter your decision, we appreciate the time you have taken to read about how to adopt in Hawaii. Adoption Network Law Center wishes you the best of luck and is available to answer any further questions you may have about the adoption process. Call 1-866-602-9541 to speak with one of our amazing team members or visit https://adoptionnetwork.com/ to read more about our services. Whether you’re a soon-to-be Birth Parent or Prospective Adoptive Parent, ANLC wishes you the best on your adoption journey.