Missouri's Adoption Laws
Missouri
Statute: § 210.150(1)-(3),(5)
Records Confidential: Yes
Persons with access to records
• CPS/State Agencies
• Agencies From Other States
• Courts/Judges
• Grand Juries
• Law Enforcement
• Attorneys General/Prosecutors
• Attorneys, GAL's
• Physicians
• Researchers
• Employers
• Parents/Guardians
• Review Teams
• Treatment Providers
• Subject of Reports
Persons without access to records
• Reporters of Abuse
• Coroners
• Public/Any Person
Other Child-placing
agencies Schools Child-caring facilities Disclosure in child fatality or near
fatality cases at the discretion of the Department
© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.
Each county in Missouri has a different requirement for when a consent for adoption may be signed and when it may be revoked. Several counties require the birth mother to go to court to give her consent, making it irrevocable at that time. Pre-consents are allowed in the state of Missouri. Revocation Time Frame in MissouriEach county in Missouri has a different requirement for when a consent for adoption may be signed and when it may be revoked. Several counties require the birth mother to go to court to give her consent, making it irrevocable at that time.
Missouri
Who May Adopt
Statute: § 453.010
• Any person,
regardless of residence
• A person who
petitions jointly with his spouse
Who May Be Adopted
Statute: § 453.010
Any child
Who May Place a Child for Adoption
Statute: § 453.014
• The Division
of Family Services of the Department of Social Services
• A licensed
child-placing agency
• The child's
parent(s)
• An
intermediary, including an attorney, physician, or clergyman
© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.
No information currently available.
Missouri
Birth Parent Expenses Allowed Statute: § 453.075(1)
-
• Hospital, medical, or physician
expenses incurred by the mother or the child
-
• Counseling services for the
parent or child for a reasonable time before and after the placement for
adoption
-
• Expenses incurred in having any
needed assessments made
-
• Reasonable legal expenses,
court costs, travel, and other administrative expenses in connection with the
adoption
-
• Reasonable living expenses,
including food, shelter, utilities, transportation, and clothing
-
• Any other services or items the
court finds reasonably necessary
Birth Parent Expenses Not Allowed Statute: § 453.075(2)
-
• Payments that the court finds
unreasonable
-
• Any payment not permitted by
law
Allowable Payments for Arranging Adoption Statute: §
568.175
It is a felony for
any organization to engage in child trafficking by soliciting, offering ,or
giving money for the delivery of a child for adoption.
Allowable Payments for Relinquishing Child Statute: § 568.175
It is a
felony to give or receive anything of value for the execution of consent to
adoption, or waiver of consent for future adoption or termination of parental
rights.
Allowable Fees Charged by Department/Agency Statute: §
453.070(6)
The division of family
services may be paid a reasonable fee to cover the cost of an investigation and
report.
Accounting of Expenses Required by Court Statute: §
453.075(1)
The petitioner must
file with the court a signed and verified full accounting of all payments made,
agreed to be made, or promised in connection with the adoption.
© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.
No information currently available.
Missouri
Agency or Person Gathering Information
or Preparing Report Statute: § 453.070
- • Division of Family Services
- • Juvenile court officer
- • Child placement agency
- • Social worker
- • Other suitable person appointed by the court
Contents of Report About Person to be
Adopted Statute: § 453.070
- • Suitability of the child for adoption
- • Whether child is a potential subsidy recipient
Contents of Report About Birth Parents Not
addressed in statutes reviewed; generally, health and genetic history
Contents of Report About Adoptive
Parents Statute: § 453.070
- • Condition of the home
- • Education level
- • Financial, medical, marital, and psychological
status
- • Criminal background check
© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.
If you are an adoption professional and have updated information for this portion of our site let us know by contacting us at 1-800-ADOPTION or e-mail us at editors@americanadoptions.com.
American Adoptions, Inc. provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.
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