Adopting a child can be an amazing, joyous occasion for prospective parents, and a chance to celebrate an addition your family. The adoption process can also be complicated, both emotionally and legally. Each state has laws regarding who can adopt, who can be adopted, and how, and these laws can be hard to figure out. So here is a quick summary of adoption laws in Hawaii.
State Adoption Laws
Regulations and laws regarding adoption, including who may adopt and special requirements for adoptive parents, are similar among most states. While there may be minor differences in the statutes, states generally keep adoption regulations things pretty uniform. Hawaii children 10 and older must give consent to adoption.
This can't be stressed enough: consult with an attorney as you navigate the adoption process. Adoption is such a complicated (and important) process, it is wise to contact an experienced adoption attorney in Hawaii for assistance.
Adoption Statutes in Hawaii
The various state adoption laws can differ depending on where you live. Below are some of the highlights of Hawaii's adoption laws, including regulations on who may adopt, child consent requirements, and the relevant procedures.
| Code Section | 578-1 to 17; No |
| Who May Be Adopted | Any person |
| Age that Child's Consent Needed | 10 years and older; if married adult, consent of spouse also |
| Who May Adopt | Any proper adult person, not married, or married to legal parent of minor, or spouses jointly. |
| Home Residency Required Prior to Finalization of Adoption? | No |
| State Agency/Court | Human Services/Family |
| Statute of Limitations to Challenge | 1 year |
Note: State laws are constantly changing -- contact an adoption attorney in Hawaii or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
In most cases, any married couple or single adult is eligible to adopt. Thus far, the laws in most states are largely silent on the issue of adoption by gay and lesbian individuals: only Utah and Mississippi have banned same sex couples from adopting. In nearly every adoption case, judges in adoption courts will consider the child’s best interests when making adoption decisions.
Related Resources for Hawaii Adoption Laws
Depending on the circumstances of your adoption, the applicable state law can vary greatly. You can review specific statutes in FindLaw’s adoption law section or get a more general overview in our adoption section. If you would like legal assistance, you can schedule a consultation with an experienced adoption attorney in Hawaii to discuss your case.
