Adopting a Child in Wyoming

Any adult who has lived in Wyoming for the 60 days before filing and whom the court finds fit and competent may adopt; a single adult, a married couple living together, or one spouse if the other is the child's parent may petition in district court. Written relinquishment and consent are required from both parents (or the surviving parent, mother and known putative father, guardian, custodial agency, or person with court-ordered custody), and from the child if over 14. Consent is not required if the court finds a parent has, for example, willfully abandoned the child, willfully failed to support the child for one year before filing (and did not catch up within 60 days of service), lost parental rights, or failed to appear after notice. The court may enter an interlocutory decree, order the Department of Family Services or a licensed agency to investigate, and may enter a final decree once the child has lived in the home for six months.

A married person may petition alone when the other spouse is the child's parent. The other parent must consent unless the court finds a statutory ground to proceed without consent, such as willful abandonment or willful failure to support for one year before filing. When a parent joins the petition, the usual medical report on the child is not required. An investigation is ordered at the court's discretion, and a final decree may be entered once the child has lived in the home for six months.