“Uncontested Adoption” vs. “Contested Adoption”
Generally, a child’s birthparent(s) must consent to an adoption of the child.
In some cases, the birthparents are willing to cooperate in the adoption process and will consent to the adoption. This is referred to as an “uncontested adoption”. In that situation, the birthparent will need to sign certain legal documents indicating that they agree with the adoption.
In other cases, the one or both birthparents will not consent to the adoption. Those cases are considered a “contested adoption”. In those cases, Oregon law provides some limited circumstances where a court can waive that consent and grant the adoption over the birthparent’s objection.