State laws regulate the adoption process, restrictions, and requirements for adults who wish to adopt a child (or, although not as common, an adult). States typically allow any child who needs a home to be adopted by an eligible adult, with safeguards in place to ensure a successful transition. Also, a majority of states require what is known as a "home residency" or "home study" before the adoption is finalized, a period of time often involving social workers in which the parent(s) and child ease into their new relationship.
Nebraska Adoption Laws at a Glance
Under Nebraska statute, any child may be adopted but must consent to an adoption if over the age of 14. The state also requires a home residency of six months, a requirement that is waived for adult adoptions. The Adoption Homepage maintained by the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services provides several helpful resources, including guides on the adoption process, legal requirements, and a listing of children available for adoption.
The following table lists additional details of adoption laws in Nebraska. See FindLaw's Adoption section for more articles and resources.
| Code Section | 43-101 to 43-160 |
| State Requirements for a Valid Adoption |
|
| Who May Be Adopted | Any child |
| Age that Child's Consent Needed | 14 years and older |
| Who May Adopt | Any adult person may adopt minor child; adult child may be adopted by spouse of such child's parent. Married partners must jointly adopt child, unless one is parent of child. |
| Home Residency Required Prior to Finalization of Adoption? | 6 months (except in adoptions of adult child) |
| State Agency/Court | Department of Social Services/County |
| Statute of Limitations to Challenge | 2 years |
Note: State laws are not set in stone and may change at any time, usually through the enactment of new statutes but also through higher court decisions and other means. You may want to contact a Nebraska adoption attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
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Nebraska Adoption Laws: Related Resources
