Adoption is defined as the legal process where a child becomes a member of a new family with either one or two parents.
Am I eligible to apply?
The following people who are 21 or over are eligible to apply for the adoption of a child;
- Civil Partners
- A single person
- Married Couples
- Cohabiting Couples
- A partner of a parent of the child to be adopted
Who can be adopted?
A child under the age of 18 who has not previously been married.
How can I apply for an adoption?
Your application to adopt will be considered with the adopted child’s needs in mind. For an adoption to be granted the court must make an adoption order to the effect that the birth parents of the child no longer have any parental responsibilities. The parental responsibilities are then ordered by the court and granted to the new adoptive parent or parents. The adopted child will have the same rights and privileges had they been born into the family including a change of surname of the new adopted parents.
How long would it take for an adoption to go through?
This will vary dependant upon the circumstances of your family and the child in question. The adoption agency or public authority will need to assess the child’s needs; once the assessment has been completed you will be able to apply to the court for the adoption order.
Here at Pepperells we have a wealth of experience when applying for the adoption of a child. We understand this can be an emotional time and we are here to guide you every step of the way. Our specialist solicitors will ensure you receive the most up to date practical solutions to any problems or questions you may have.