To begin with, different states have different rules and regulations for adoption. Certain rules govern the adoption process and these rules depend on where you are living. However, there are some rules, which are fairly ordinary in most states. Consent to adoption is one such rule.

It means any person (a parent, individual or agency standing-in as a parent) is willing to give up a child for adoption and thereby he or she discharges all the rights and responsibilities over the kid. It simply means that you need to have the approval of the agency (if the parents are not alive) or birth parent before you adopt the child.

Now you may be thinking who are eligible for adoption. Usually those who are above the age of eighteen can adopt. However in certain states, people who are over the age of twenty-one are eligible. There are also states where the adoptive parent has to be over the age of twenty-five years. This is, once again, controlled by the state. In certain states, minors can also adopt but this is usually very uncommon. There are certain states, which require that the persons adopting the child should be no less than a decade older than the child. This means that if you want to adopt a child who is fourteen then you have to be at least twenty-four. Now the question of residency arises. Majority of the states necessitates that you have been living in your present home for minimum of two months.