Consent for adoption is required from which of the following groups?

• A. The child over 14, the parents of a child conceived or born in wedlock, and the mother and father of a child born out of wedlock
• B. The child's siblings
• C. Only the state agency
• D. Only the adoptive parent

Answer: (A)

Consent for adoption comes from those who hold legal parental rights. The child’s consent is required if the child is fourteen or older, ensuring the child’s preferences are heard. In addition, the biological parents must consent. When the child is conceived or born in wedlock, both parents have parental rights and must consent to the adoption. If the child is born out of wedlock, the mother has automatic parental rights and must consent; the father has rights only if paternity is established, and then he would be able to consent as well. Therefore, the groups who must consent are the child aged 14 or older, the parents of a child conceived or born in wedlock, and the mother and father of a child born out of wedlock. Siblings, the state agency, and the adoptive parent do not provide the required consent in this framework.