Wisconsin's Adoption Laws

• Adoption Records
• Consent To Adoption
• Parties To An Adoption
• Birth Father Statutes
• Adoption Expenses
• International Expenses
• General Adoption Statutes

Adoption Records

Wisconsin

Statute: § 48.981(7)(a),(am),(b),(c),(cm),(cr)

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

• Reporters of Abuse

• Researchers

• Parents/Guardians

• Coroners

• Review Teams

• Subject of Reports

• Public/Any Person

Persons without access to records

• Employers

• Treatment Providers

Other Tribal agencies/courts Foster parents Court Appointed Special Advocates Licensed child welfare agencies Department of Corrections Public disclosure in child fatality or near fatality cases

Consent to Adoption

A birth mother may sign a consent any time after the birth of the child, however she must affirm her consent to the adoption before a judge. This hearing usually occurs 14-30 days after the birth. The court will then officially terminate her parental rights.

Pre-consents are not allowed in the state of Wisconsin.

Revocation Time Frame in Wisconsin

The consent is irrevocable once the birth mother appears in court (14-30 days after birth). So, there is a revocation period until she goes to court.

Parties to an Adoption

Wisconsin

• A resident of the State

• A husband and wife jointly

• A stepparent

• An unmarried adult

Any child present in the State who is free for adoption, as defined in this section

• A parent having custody of the child

• The department

• A licensed child-placing agency

Birth Father Statutes

No information currently available.

Adoption Expenses

Wisconsin

1. • Preadoptive and postadoptive counseling for the birth parents or an alleged or presumed father
2. • Maternity clothes, not to exceed a reasonable amount
3. • Local transportation expenses
4. • Medical and hospital care received by the birth mother and the child
5. • Legal services
6. • Living expenses up to $1,000 when necessary to protect the health and welfare of mother or fetus
7. • Birthing classes
8. • A gift to the mother, not to exceed $50 in value

1. • Medical and hospital care does not include lost wages or living expenses while receiving medical care.
2. • Any payments other than those specifically authorized by statute are prohibited.

 It is illegal for a person to offer anything of value to solicit, negotiate, or arrange the placement of a child for adoption, except under § 48.833.

Allowable Payments for Relinquishing Child Statute: §§ 948.24; 48.837

1. • It is unlawful to place or agree to place a child for anything other than the actual cost of the items authorized in § 48.913.
2. • Making any payment to a birth parent conditional upon the surrender of the child is considered coercion and grounds to dismiss the petition to adopt.

Allowable Fees Charged by Department/Agency Statute: §§ 48.913(1); 48.838

1. • Fees may be charged for services provided or investigations completed.
2. • The department may charge a fee of $75 to review foreign adoption documents and provide the certification and approval required by State and Federal law.

Accounting of Expenses Required by Court Statute: § 48.913(6), (7) 

A report shall be submitted to the court at the time of the hearing that provides a list of all transfers of value made or agreed to be made to the birth parents or any other person in connection with the adoption.

International Expenses

No information currently available.

General Adoption Statutes

Wisconsin

Agency or Person Gathering Information or Preparing Report Statute: § 48.88

Child placement agency (public or private)

Contents of Report About Person to be Adopted Statute: §§ 48.93; 48.425

1. • Medical record
2. • Social and genetic history
3. • Details of prenatal care and condition at birth
4. • Investigation to determine if child is proper subject for adoption

1. • Medical and genetic history
2. • Report of any medical examinations
3. • Non-identifying social history

Contents of Report About Adoptive Parents Statute: § 48.88 Suitability

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.