At what age does my child need to consent to adoption in South Dakota?

In South Dakota, children age 12 and older must give their consent to the adoption (SDCL § 25-6-4). This is a positive thing — it ensures the child is part of this important decision. In our experience, children are almost always enthusiastic about being officially adopted by their stepparent. The court will typically speak with the child briefly during the finalization hearing to confirm their consent.