Adoption
What is Adoption?
Adoption is a process whereby a person or couple assumes the parenting of another, usually a child, from that person's biological or legal parent or parents. Legal adoptions permanently transfer all rights and responsibilities, along with filiation, from the biological parent or parents.
Adoption is a long process that has to go through multiple steps to be approved. To be adopted, a child must be under the age of 18 when the adoption application is made & not be (or have never been) married or in a civil partnership.
Who can adopt?
You may be able to adopt a child if you’re aged 21 or over (there’s no upper age limit) and either:
Single, married, in a civil partnership, an unmarried couple (same sex) or the partner of the child’s parent
There are different rules for private adoptions and adoptions of looked-after children.
Living in the UK
You do not have to be a British citizen to adopt a child, but you (or your partner, if you’re a couple) must have a fixed and permanent home in the UK, Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, or you (and your partner, if you’re a couple) must have lived in the UK for at least 1 year before you begin the application process.
Adoption in other countries
Each country has it’s own adoption laws & polices & it is best to check you’re Government websites for laws relating to adoption. Unfortunately, in some countries it is illegal for LGBT+ people to adopt.
The child’s birth parents
Both birth parents normally have to agree (consent) to the adoption, unless they cannot be found, or they’re incapable of giving consent, for example due to a mental disability or the child would be put at risk if they were not adopted.
Adoption support fund
You may be able to get funding from the Adoption Support Fund. It provides money for therapy for children and families to help improve relationships, confidence and behaviour. Your social worker can apply for you.
Adoption Organisations
Adoption UK is a charity that provides community & support for people to adopt in the UK
First4Adoption provides regarding facts & research relating to LGBT adoption.
Stonewall is the UK lesbian, gay and bisexual charity & at times provides advice regarding who to speak to regarding parenting.
The Beaumont Society is the largest and longest established transgender support group in the UK for adoption.
Adopt Us Kids is a US based organization that educates families about foster care and adoption and gives child welfare professionals information and support to help them improve their services.
US Department of State provide information regarding US adoption & also Intercountry Adoption across States
Adopt Change (AUS) is a Australian Not for profit organization that provides support & resources for adoption
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