Vermont § 2-406 - Content of consent or relinquishment

Full text of Vermont Vermont Statutes Online § 2-406 — Content of consent or relinquishment, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 2-406. Content of consent or relinquishment

  • (a) A consent or relinquishment required from a parent or guardian under this title shall
    be in writing and contain, in plain English or, if the native language of the parent
    or guardian is a language other than English, in that language: (1) the name, date of birth, and current mailing address of the individual executing the
    consent or relinquishment; (2) the date of birth and the name of the minor adoptee; (3) if a consent, the name, address, and telephone number of the attorney representing
    the prospective adoptive parent with whom the individual executing the consent has
    placed or intends to place the minor for adoption; (4) if a relinquishment, the name, address, and telephone number of the agency to which
    the minor is being relinquished; (5) specific instructions as to how to revoke the consent or relinquishment and how to
    commence an action to set it aside; (6) the name and address of the court, if known to the parent, in which the petition for
    adoption has been or will be filed, or if unknown to the parent, the name and address
    of a court in which a motion to set aside a consent on the ground of fraud or coercion
    may be filed. (b) A consent shall state that the parent or guardian executing the document is voluntarily
    and unequivocally consenting to the transfer of legal and physical custody to, and
    the adoption of the minor by, a specific adoptive parent whom the parent or guardian
    has selected. (c) A relinquishment shall state that the individual executing the relinquishment voluntarily
    consents to the permanent transfer of legal and physical custody of the minor to the
    agency for the purposes of adoption. (d) A consent or relinquishment shall state: (1) an understanding that after the consent or relinquishment is executed in substantial
    compliance with section 2-405 of this title, it is final and, except under a circumstance stated in sections 2-408 or 2-409 of this title, or subsection (e) of this section may not be revoked or set aside for any reason,
    including the failure of an adoptive parent to permit the individual executing the
    consent or relinquishment to visit or communicate with the minor adoptee; (2) an understanding that the consent or relinquishment will extinguish all parental rights
    and obligations the individual executing the consent or relinquishment has with respect
    to the minor adoptee; (3) an understanding that the adoption will terminate completely every aspect of the legal
    relationship between the adoptee and the person executing the consent or relinquishment
    has with respect to the minor adoptee, except for arrearages of child support, and
    will remain valid whether or not any agreement for visitation or communication with
    the minor adoptee is later performed; (4) that the individual executing the consent or relinquishment has: (A) received a copy of the consent or relinquishment; (B) been advised, if a parent who is a minor, by an attorney who is not representing an
    adoptive parent or the agency to which the minor adoptee is being relinquished, or,
    if an adult, has been informed of the right to have an attorney who is not representing
    an adoptive parent or the agency; (C) been provided the information described in subsection 2-404(e) of this title; (D) been advised of the obligation to provide the information required under section 2-105 of this title; (E) if a parent, understands that personal counseling was available by a certified adoption
    counselor or other counselor of his or her choice; and (F) been informed that it is in the best interests of the child to keep the court or agency
    informed of his or her current address and any family health problem which the parent
    develops or becomes aware of which could affect the child, in order for the court
    or agency to respond to any inquiry concerning the adoptee’s medical or social history; (5) that the individual executing the consent or relinquishment has not received or been
    promised any money or anything of value for the consent or the relinquishment, except
    for payments authorized by Article 7 of this title that are itemized on a schedule
    attached to the consent or relinquishment; (6) that the minor is or is not an Indian child as defined in the Indian Child Welfare
    Act, 25 U.S.C. §§ 1901 et seq.; (7) that the individual believes the adoption of the minor is in the minor’s best interests; (8) that the individual who is consenting or relinquishing: (A) does not waive notice of any proceeding for adoption; or (B) waives notice of any proceeding for adoption; or (C) waives notice unless the adoption is contested, appealed, or denied; and (9) an understanding that the adoption will make an order or agreement for visitation
    or communication with the minor unenforceable; and (10) for the purpose of evaluating the reasonableness of reimbursement or expenses as provided
    for in section 7-103 of this title, whether the individual executing the consent or relinquishment has received any
    public assistance during the last 12 months. (e) A consent or relinquishment may provide for its revocation if: (1) another consent or relinquishment is not executed within a specified period; (2) a court decides not to terminate another individual’s parental relationship to the
    minor; or (3) in a direct placement for adoption, a petition for adoption by a prospective adoptive
    parent, named or described in the consent, is denied or withdrawn. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)

Source: official Vermont text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Vermont § 2-406

What does Vermont Statutes Online § 2-406 cover?

Section 2-406 ("Content of consent or relinquishment") is part of the Vermont Statutes Online, the codified statutory law of Vermont. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Vermont § 2-406?

A common citation format is "Vermont Statutes Online § 2-406" (Vermont). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Vermont law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Vermont official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Vermont attorney.

How does Vermont § 2-406 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Vermont can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Vermont.