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Who can adopt in the
Yukon?
- Applicants must
be 19 years of age and be a resident of the Yukon.
- Applicants can be single, common law,
married or a same sex couple
Do I need a homestudy to adopt in
the Yukon?
Yes. All prospective adoptive parents must complete a homestudy
before adopting a child in the Yukon. You will meet with,
and be interviewed by a licensed social worker several times
(6 to 10 times minimum) to discuss a variety of topics including
your relationship with spouse/partner, your family and childhood,
your financial and employment situation, your health, lifestyle
and home, your interests, your parenting styles and attitudes,
as well as your understanding of open and closed adoptions.
You'll also discuss your motivation for adopting as well as
the characteristics of the child(ren) that would be the best
match for your family.
Can an open adoption be arranged
in the Yukon?
Yes. In the Yukon, an openness agreement
can be made in order to ensure communication and relationships
continue. The agreement must be made only after the consent
is given and before the adoption order is granted and is an
agreement between the adoptive parents and another party (birth
parent(s), a relative of the child, guardian etc.,). An openness
agreement must also include a process for resolving disputes
related to the agreement and a child, if over the age of 12
years old, must consent to the openness agreement.
Who must give consent for an adoption in the Yukon?
The consent of each of the following is
required for a child’s adoption:
- the birth mother;
- the father;
- the child, if he/she is 12 years of
age or over;
- any person who has custody of the child
Note: Where the child is in the continuous custody of a Director
under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, the only consents
required are the Director's consent and the child's consent
(where he/she is 12 or more years of age).
When can consents be given for an
adoption?
A birth mother’s consent to the adoption
of her child is valid only if the child is at least 7 days
old when the consent is given.
Can adoption consents be withdrawn?
Yes. A person who has consented to a child's adoption may
withdraw their consent no later than 21 days after the consent
was given. This revocation must be in writing and received
by a director or an adoption.
What about the rights of birth fathers?
In the Yukon, a father is required to consent to
the adoption of a child. According to the Yukon's Child and
Family Services Act, a father, for the purpose of giving consent
to an adoption is anyone who
(a) has acknowledged paternity by signing
an Acknowledgement of Paternity and Joint Request by Parents
for Birth Registration;
(b) is or was the person with custody or joint custody of
the child with the birth mother;
(c) has acknowledged paternity and has custody or access
rights to the child by court order or agreement;
(d) has acknowledged paternity and has supported, maintained
or cared for the child
voluntarily or under court order; or
(e) has acknowledged paternity and is named by the birth
mother as the child’s father.
Can a child be placed for adoption
outside of the Yukon?
Rarely. According to the Yukon's
Health and Social Services Department, it is policy
to find homes for children within the territory. Children
can be placed with relatives living outside the Yukon or with
a family outside the territory if there are no appropriate
homes for the child.
Can prospective
adoptive parents advertise their desire to adopt in Yukon?
Yes. Adoptive parents can
network and advertise but this will change when the new legislation
is proclaimed. The revised Child and Family Services Act states:
"A person shall not publish or cause to be published
in any form or by any means an advertisement dealing with
the placement or adoption of a child."
Can an agency
or adoptive family help with a birth parent’s expenses?
No. It is illegal to give or receive or even offer to give
or receive payment to procure a child in the Yukon and Canada.
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