» legal resources » adoption laws » state laws & compacts » relinquishment, consent & time to revoke » tennessee

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Tennessee

• A parent under age 18 shall have the capacity to give consent to adoption.
• A guardian ad litem may be appointed.
• The child's parent or guardian.

• There is no person qualified to give consent.The parent:
• Has abandoned the child.
• Has shown substantial noncompliance with a permanency plan.
• Whose child has been out of the home for 6 months.
• Has committed severe child abuse.
• Has been imprisoned for 2 years for conduct against a child.
• Has failed to support, contact or visit the child.

• No surrender shall be made prior to the 3rd day after birth
• The count starts on the first full day following birth.
• The court may, for good cause shown, waive the 3 day waiting period.

• Surrenders shall be made in the presence of a judge, and the court shall advise the person of the right, time and procedure.
• The court may accept notarized statements if someone is unable to surrender in person.

• Person may revoke a surrender within 10 days if such revocation occurs in the presence of a judge.
• After 10 days, a surrender cannot be set aside unless the court finds reasons the adoption should not go forward, as detailed in the statutes.
• A surrender may be revoked at any time prior to the entry of an order of confirmation of parental consent by the court.
• The surrender may be revoked if there is clear and convincing evidence of fraud, misrepresentation, or duress.