{"id":374334,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:43","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/mississippi-law\/mississippi-adoption-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-11-05T14:32:08","modified_gmt":"2024-11-05T19:32:08","slug":"mississippi-adoption-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/mississippi-law\/mississippi-adoption-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Mississippi Adoption Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Mississippi Adoption Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Mississippi adoption laws are like those of other states. Mississippi has a residency requirement for adoptive parents, so if you’re considering adoption, you must live in Mississippi for at least 90 days before filing the petition. Like most states, the best interests of the child matter more than the prospective adoptive parents’ concerns.<\/p>\r\n

Whether you contact an adoption agency or the Mississippi Department of Human Services, the state adoption laws<\/a> protect the rights of the birth parents and the adoptive parents. This article reviews the adoption process and basic requirements in Mississippi<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Mississippi Adoption Laws<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The state of Mississippi<\/a> has no minimum adoption age for adults. Anyone over 18 years of age may adopt a child. Adoption services may have different standards, and many private agencies require adoptive parents to be over 21 or 22.<\/p>\r\n

Unmarried adults can adopt. When married couples adopt, both spouses must file jointly. Mississippi was the last state to grant equal adoption rights to same-sex couples in 2016. Private adoption agencies are still allowed to have their own preferences for prospective parents.<\/p>\r\n

Mississippi’s legal requirements for adoptive families include:<\/p>\r\n