• Adoption is where a child becomes legally part of another family. Usually the birth parents lose all rights to their biological child, and are not allowed to communicate with him. However, in an open adoption, the birth parents retain the right to visit and talk to their child.
  
  If you are adopting a child, then you gain all responsibility, financial or otherwise, for that child. Adoption Laws are in place to protect children, biological parents and the adopting parents. To become an adoptive parent in Florida, you must reside and work in the state, have a good character, and prove you can provide any support that the child might need. Depending on the age of the adoptee, the laws and procedures vary.
  
  

New Born Babies

• If you are a new birth mother, you cannot put your child up for adoption for two days, or until you are discharged from hospital, whichever is earliest. If you are the birth father, you can sign your consent for adoption at any time.
  
  

Over 6 Months Old

• After six months, you may put your child up for adoption at any time, with 3 days given to revoke your choice. In order to adopt a child of this age, you need permission from the birth mother, birth father, and any person who has legal custody of the minor.
  
  

Over 12 Years Old

• During an adoption when the adoptee is over 12, consent is required from the following: the minor, the birth mother, the birth father, and any person with legal custody of the minor.
  
  

Over 18 Years Old

• During the adoption where the adoptee is over 18, the birth parents no longer need to give consent. You do need to show that the birth parents have been informed of the decision, however.