can a dad just give child up for adoption without going to court?

Answer 1

Yes.
Through public adoption by turning the child over to "the system" and stating their intentions. Because the parent is essentially abandoning the child, the state will automatically initiate a TPR (termination of parental rights) proceeding. If the parent doesn't want to go to court, he can agree to sign the form outside of court, or just not show up. The state, or county will ask that a default judgment be entered since the parent didn't show up.

It takes longer doing it that way. Its faster if the parent shows up or otherwise agrees to the termination.

In a legal private adoption, the parent will also have to agree to a termination of parental rights. This will all be handled by the attorney that is handling the adoption.

In both these cases, BOTH parents have to agree. If one parent cant be located, it has to be proven that a search was conducted, and the parent essentially abandoned the kid.

Google "termination of parental rights" for more info.

Answer 2

Yes and no. An only parent may "give up a child" to the adoption process. Direct adoption without going through the court system is illegal in the US; it's called white slavery (has nothing to do with the color of the baby).

I don't agree with everything coragryph has to say but I've never heard him give bad (unreliable) advice. Its nice to have people on here that you can disagree with intelligently.

Answer 3

Yes.

"Giving up for adoption" means consenting to an adoption.

The court (or other state agency) must still approve the adoption. But the biological parent doesn't need to go to court to provide his consent to the adoption.

That being said, many people use the phrase "give up for adoption" to refer to the practice of placing the children in an orphanage or foster home. That activity could be in violation of child abandonment laws, depending on the situation.

So, it all depends on the specific situation.

Answer 4

There are private adoptions that are legal.