Only a parent, a parent of a deceased parent, or a relative of the degree of relationship specified in Section 26-10A-28, the Department of Human Resources or a licensed child placing agency, or an agency approved by the Department of Human Resources may place a minor for adoption. No person or entity other than the Department of Human Resources or a licensed child placing agency shall engage in the business of placing minors for adoption. Any person or entity making more than two unrelated placements of minors for adoption within the preceding twelve-month period shall be deemed to be in the business of placing minors for adoption. Any other person who places a minor for adoption is guilty, upon the first conviction, of a Class A misdemeanor and upon subsequent convictions is guilty of a Class C felony. This section does not intend to make it unlawful for any person not engaged in the business of placing minors for adoption to give advice and assistance to a natural parent in an adoption. In making adoption arrangements, potential adopting parents and birth parents are entitled to the advice and assistance of legal counsel. Surrogate motherhood is not intended to be covered by this section.
Structure Code of Alabama
Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents.
Chapter 10A - Alabama Adoption Code.
Section 26-10A-1 - Short Title.
Section 26-10A-2 - Definitions.
Section 26-10A-3 - Jurisdiction.
Section 26-10A-5 - Who May Adopt.
Section 26-10A-6 - Who May Be Adopted.
Section 26-10A-7 - Persons Whose Consents or Relinquishment Are Required.
Section 26-10A-8 - Consent or Relinquishment by a Minor Parent.
Section 26-10A-9 - Implied Consent or Relinquishment.
Section 26-10A-10 - Persons Whose Consents or Relinquishments Are Not Required.
Section 26-10A-11 - Consent or Relinquishment.
Section 26-10A-12 - Persons Who May Take Consent or Relinquishments; Forms.
Section 26-10A-13 - Time of Consent or Relinquishment; Filing With Court.
Section 26-10A-14 - Withdrawal of Consent or Relinquishment.
Section 26-10A-15 - Surrender of Custody of Minor Under Age of Majority.
Section 26-10A-17 - Notice of Petition.
Section 26-10A-18 - Custody Pending Final Decree.
Section 26-10A-19 - Investigation.
Section 26-10A-20 - Removal of Adoptee From County.
Section 26-10A-21 - Related Proceedings.
Section 26-10A-23 - Fees and Charges.
Section 26-10A-24 - Contested Hearing.
Section 26-10A-25 - Final Decree; Dispositional Hearing.
Section 26-10A-27 - Stepparent Adoptions.
Section 26-10A-28 - Adoption by Other Relatives.
Section 26-10A-29 - Name and Status of Adoptee.
Section 26-10A-30 - Grandparent Visitation.
Section 26-10A-31 - Confidentiality of Records, Hearing; Parties.
Section 26-10A-32 - Birth Certificates.
Section 26-10A-33 - Crime to Place Children for Adoption.
Section 26-10A-35 - Bringing Child Into State for Adoption Purposes.
Section 26-10A-37 - Rules of Procedure and Rules of Evidence.