Who May Adopt, Be Adopted, or Place a Child for Adoption - Mississippi

Who May Adopt

Citation: Ann. Code § 93-17-3

The following persons may adopt:

• An unmarried adult
• A married person jointly with his or her spouse
• A State resident for 6 consecutive months immediately prior to the adoption

Adoption by couples of the same gender is prohibited.

Who May Be Adopted

Citation: Ann. Code § 93-17-3

Any person may be adopted.

Who May Place a Child for Adoption

Citation: Ann. Code § 93-17-5

The following persons may consent to the adoptive placement:

• The parent(s), though either be younger than age 21
• Any two adult kin of the child if both parents are deceased
• A guardian ad litem of an abandoned child
• Persons having physical custody of the child, except persons who are acting as foster parents as a result of placement with them by the Department of Human Services
• Any person to whom custody of the child may have been awarded by a court of competent jurisdiction
• The agent of the county department that has placed a child in foster care
• A duly authorized officer or representative of a home to whose care the child has been delivered