If you're considering adoption in South Carolina and wondering about your rights after signing consent, you need to know the truth: South Carolina has no revocation period. Once you sign your consent to adoption, it becomes final immediately—unless the court finds it was given involuntarily or through fraud or coercion.

This isn't meant to scare you. It's meant to help you understand how important this decision is, so you can feel confident and prepared when the time comes to sign.

Get free information about your adoption options and speak with a counselor who can answer all your questions—there's no pressure and no obligation.

Below, we'll explain South Carolina's consent laws in plain language, help you understand what happens after you sign, and show you how American Adoptions supports birth mothers through every emotion and every step of this journey.

How Long Do I Have to Change My Mind After Adoption in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, once you sign your consent to adoption, there is no waiting period or revocation period. Your consent becomes final immediately upon signing.

According to South Carolina Code Section 63-9-330, consent can only be withdrawn by court order if the judge finds that the consent was not given voluntarily, was obtained through fraud, duress, or coercion, and that revoking the consent would be in the best interests of the child.

This is different from many other states, which give birth parents anywhere from a few days to several months to change their minds after signing. Each state has different adoption laws, so it's important to understand what South Carolina's laws mean for you.

The permanency of consent in South Carolina isn't meant to pressure you. It's meant to provide stability for the child and clarity for everyone involved. But it also means you need to be absolutely certain about your decision before you sign.

Adoption Consent in South Carolina: What Every Birth Parent Needs to Know

Before you can understand revocation, you need to understand what consent actually means in South Carolina adoption law.

Consent is your legal agreement to place your child for adoption. When you give consent, you're voluntarily choosing to transfer your parental rights to the adoptive family.

When You Can Sign

According to South Carolina Code Section 63-9-310, you cannot sign consent until after your baby is born. There is no specific waiting period after birth, but you must have already given birth before signing any legal paperwork.

How Consent Must Be Given

Your consent must be given in a sworn written document, signed in the presence of witnesses. South Carolina law requires that one witness must be a judge, a state-licensed attorney who is not representing the adoptive family, or a person certified to obtain consents.

What the Consent Must Include

Your consent document must clearly state that you understand you are giving up all parental rights and that the consent is final upon signing, except in cases of fraud, duress, or coercion.

Who Must Give Consent

If you're the birth mother, you must give consent. If the birth father has established paternity or maintained a relationship with the child according to South Carolina law, his consent may also be required.

Can You Revoke Consent After Signing?

Once you sign your consent to adoption in South Carolina, it is immediately final. Unlike states with revocation periods, you cannot simply change your mind within a certain number of days.

The only way to revoke consent after signing is to go to court and prove that your consent was not given voluntarily, was obtained through fraud, duress, or coercion, and that revoking your consent would be in the best interests of the child.

According to South Carolina law, the burden of proof is on you to show the court that these conditions exist. This is a high legal standard, and courts take consent very seriously.

Why Hormonal Shifts After Birth May Trigger Second Thoughts

In the days and weeks after giving birth, your body goes through dramatic hormonal changes. Understanding what's happening physically can help you make sense of what you're feeling emotionally.

What Happens to Your Hormones After Birth

During pregnancy, your body produces high levels of estrogen and progesterone. After delivery, these hormone levels drop sharply—sometimes within just 24 hours. At the same time, your body begins producing prolactin and oxytocin, which trigger milk production and create strong bonding feelings with your baby.

How These Hormones Affect Your Emotions

These sudden hormonal shifts can trigger intense maternal instincts and make you feel an overwhelming urge to keep your baby—even if you were certain about adoption throughout your pregnancy.

You might experience an intense physical and emotional pull toward your baby, anxiety or panic at the thought of separation, doubts about whether adoption is the right choice, and physical symptoms like crying or difficulty sleeping.

These Feelings Are Normal—But They're Temporary

Here's what's important to understand: these hormonal surges are temporary. For most women, hormone levels begin to stabilize within 2-4 weeks after birth.

As your hormones settle, you may find that the overwhelming panic subsides and you're able to think more clearly about your original reasons for choosing adoption. Many birth mothers who experience these intense feelings right after birth later confirm that adoption was still the right choice—once the immediate hormonal storm had passed.

Doubt Happens—Remember Why You Chose Adoption

If you're feeling uncertain after giving birth, that doesn't mean you're making the wrong decision. Doubt is a normal part of any major life choice, especially one as significant as adoption.

When doubt creeps in, it can help to revisit the reasons why you chose adoption in the first place. Did you choose adoption because you couldn't provide the stability your child deserves? Did you choose adoption because you wanted to finish school or build your career? Did you choose adoption because you were already parenting and knew you couldn't care for another child?

Whatever your reasons, they were valid when you made this decision. The fact that you're feeling emotional now doesn't mean those reasons have changed.

At American Adoptions, our specialists have worked with birth mothers who changed their minds at the last minute—only to reach out weeks or months later because they realized they had made the wrong choice in keeping their baby. They regretted not following through with their adoption plan.

We're not telling you this to manipulate you or pressure you. We're telling you because we want you to make the decision that's truly best for you and your baby—not the decision that your hormones are pushing you toward in a moment of panic.

Hear from Birth Mothers Who Have Been In Your Shoes

You're not the only one who has struggled with these feelings. Many birth mothers have chosen adoption, experienced doubt, and ultimately found peace with their decision.

Angel, a birth mother who placed her baby for adoption, shared: "This choice was the hardest but best choice I will ever have to make. I know it was the most unselfish thing I could have done."

Another birth mother, Sandra, said: "I chose adoption for my baby not because I didn't want her but because I love her."

These women understand what you're going through. They know how hard it is. And they want you to know that it's possible to find peace, healing, and confidence in your decision—even when it's difficult.

If you want to hear more stories, you can read birth mother testimonials or browse waiting families to see the loving parents hoping to adopt.

After the Revocation Period: What Happens Next in Adoption?

Since South Carolina doesn't have a revocation period, the adoption process moves forward immediately after you sign consent.

Temporary Custody: Once you sign consent, the adoptive family receives temporary custody of your baby and takes your baby home from the hospital.

Finalization: The adoptive family will file a petition with the family court to finalize the adoption. There is typically a waiting period before the finalization hearing—usually around 90 days, though this can vary. During this time, the adoptive family will complete required post-placement visits and reports.

Final Decree: Once the judge signs the final decree of adoption, the adoption becomes permanent and irrevocable. Your child legally becomes the child of the adoptive family, with all the same rights as a biological child.

Permanency provides closure—for you, for the adoptive family, and for your child. For many birth mothers, finalization brings a sense of relief and makes it easier to begin healing and moving forward.

Why Adoption Decisions Are Supported with Counseling

South Carolina law and American Adoptions both recognize that choosing adoption is one of the most difficult decisions you'll ever make. That's why counseling is built into every step of the process.

Before You Sign: Your adoption specialist will talk with you extensively about your decision and make sure you understand what consent means, what your rights are, what will happen after you sign, and what support is available.

At the Hospital: When it's time to sign consent, your adoption specialist will be there with you. We'll make sure you're ready, that you understand what you're signing, and that you're making this decision voluntarily. If you need more time, we'll give you more time.

After Placement: Your relationship with American Adoptions doesn't end when you sign consent. We provide ongoing counseling and support to help you navigate the emotions of adoption and begin healing.

Counseling isn't just a legal requirement. It's a safeguard to make sure you're making an informed, voluntary decision—and to give you the support you need to live with that decision.

What If I'm Still Unsure About Adoption?

If you're reading this article and feeling uncertain about whether adoption is right for you, that's okay. Uncertainty doesn't mean you have to rush into a decision.

Talk to a Counselor: Call American Adoptions at 1-800-ADOPTION and speak with one of our counselors. They can help you explore your feelings, weigh your options, and think through what's best for you and your baby.

Take Your Time: If you're still pregnant, you don't have to decide right now. Even if you've started the adoption process, you can still change your mind before you sign consent. Once you sign, the decision becomes final in South Carolina.

Don't Sign Until You're Ready: If you're at the hospital and you're not ready to sign consent, don't sign. Tell your adoption specialist you need more time.

If you're worried about regretting adoption, talk to someone about those fears. You also have resources available in South Carolina, including Palmetto Health, South Carolina DSS, and SC Birth Outcomes Initiative.

How American Adoptions Supports Birth Mothers

No matter where you are in your adoption journey, American Adoptions is here to support you.

• 24/7 Free Counseling: You'll work with an adoption specialist who understands what you're going through and can help you process your emotions, explore your options, and feel confident in your decisions.
• Help Understanding Your Rights: We'll explain South Carolina's adoption laws in plain language and make sure you understand what consent means and what will happen after you sign.
• Financial Assistance: Based on South Carolina law, we can help with pregnancy expenses like rent, utilities, groceries, and medical bills. This support is available whether you ultimately choose adoption or decide to parent.
• Post-Placement Support: After placement, you'll continue to have access to counseling and support as you navigate life after adoption.

When you work with American Adoptions, you're never alone.

Next Steps: Get the Support You Need

If you're considering adoption in South Carolina and have questions about consent, revocation, or what happens after you sign, the best thing you can do is talk to someone who can help.

Call American Adoptions at 1-800-ADOPTION anytime, day or night. You'll speak with a compassionate specialist who will listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and help you figure out what's right for you.

You can also get free information online about adoption, your rights, and your options. There's no pressure, no judgment, and no obligation.

You deserve to make this decision with confidence, clarity, and support. Let us help you get there.

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