Section 26-10A-11

Consent or relinquishment.

(a) A consent or relinquishment shall be in writing, signed by the person consenting or relinquishing, and shall state the following:

(1) The date, place, and time of execution.

(2) The date of birth or if prior to birth expected date of birth of the adoptee and any names by which the adoptee has been known.

(3) The relationship of the person consenting or relinquishing to the adoptee.

(4) The name of each petitioner, unless (i) the document is relinquishment of the adoptee to an agency, or (ii) the consent contains a statement that the person executing the consent knows that he or she has a right to know the identity of each petitioner but voluntarily waives this right.

(5) That the person executing the document is voluntarily and unequivocally consenting to the adoption of the named adoptee.

(6) That by signing the document and subsequent court order to ratify the consent, the person executing the document understands that he or she will forfeit all rights and obligations; that he or she understands the consent or relinquishment and executes it freely and voluntarily.

(7) That the person executing the document understands that the consent may be irrevocable, and should not execute it if he or she needs or desires psychological or legal advice, guidance, or counseling.

(8) The address of the court in which the petition for adoption has been or will be filed, if known, and if not known, the name and address of the agency, the petitioners or their attorney on whom notice of the withdrawal of consent may be served.

(9) In the case of relinquishment, the name and address of the agency to which the adoptee has been relinquished.

(10) That the person executing the same has received or been offered a copy of the consent or relinquishment.

(11) That the person executing a relinquishment waives further notice of the adoption proceeding.

(12) That the person executing a consent waives further notice of the adoption proceedings, unless there is a contest or appeal of the adoption proceeding.

(b) When the person sought to be adopted is an adult, only the sworn, written consent of the adult person sought to be adopted shall be required and no order of reference or any home studies need be issued. If the adult person to be adopted has been adjudicated incompetent, the written consent of the adult person's guardian or conservator shall be required. If the adult person is without a spouse, guardian, or conservator and the court has reason to believe that the adult person is incompetent to give consent, the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem who shall investigate the adult person's circumstances and that guardian ad litem shall give or withhold consent. The guardian ad litem shall file a written report stating the basis for the decision and the court shall afford a hearing to all parties to present evidence as to the best interest of the adult person, and if the court determines upon clear and convincing evidence that the decision to withhold consent by the guardian ad litem is arbitrary and is not in the best interests of the incompetent adult person, it may proceed to make any other orders it deems necessary for the adult person's welfare, including granting the petition for adoption.

(Acts 1990, No. 90-554, p. 912, §11; Acts 98-101, p. 118, §1.)