The unmarried parent of a child may also adopt. Generally, the written consent of both biological parents is required prior to the adoption of a child. Consent may also be required of all persons entitled to custody of a child, and of other fathers who have adopted the child. A child over ten years old may also have to consent to the adoption, unless the court believes that it would be in the child's best interest if the child's consent were not required. A parent who signs a consent form must understand that, unless the court agrees to an alternative arrangement, signing the consent will effectively terminate the parent-child relationship.
Adoptions often occur because one or both parents have abandoned a child.
In Alaska, consent to adoption is not required if a court finds that a parent has abandoned a child for a period of at least six months. Abandonment may occur if the parent-child relationship has been destroyed due to a parent's conscious disregard of obligations owed to a child. Consent to adoption may not be required if a court determines that a parent who does not have custody of a child has failed significantly, without a justifiable excuse, for at least one year, to meaningfully communicate with the child, or to provide for the care and support of the child. A hearing will normally be held before a judge or probate master after a properly filed petition and other documents have been received by the court, to determine whether the court can and should order the adoption to occur. The court must determine that the adoption is in the best interests of the child.