Adopti
on II
LA6073 – Child Law Term 2
23-24
, WHO CAN ADOPT? ACA 2002
• Both couples and single persons – s.49.
• Couples include, married couples, civil partners and
cohabitants – both same and opposite sex who are living as
partners in an enduring family relationship – s.144(4).
• Each applicant must be at least 21 years of age – s.50(1),
unless one of the couple is child’s mother or father, when
need only be 18 – s.50(2).
• A single applicant may apply if they are at least 21 years
old, and unmarried - s.51(1).
• •Foster Parents – as set out in s.42(4).
• Step-parent adoption: Re H (a child) (adoption order: step-
parent adoption: human rights) [2023]EWHC 3186.
on II
LA6073 – Child Law Term 2
23-24
, WHO CAN ADOPT? ACA 2002
• Both couples and single persons – s.49.
• Couples include, married couples, civil partners and
cohabitants – both same and opposite sex who are living as
partners in an enduring family relationship – s.144(4).
• Each applicant must be at least 21 years of age – s.50(1),
unless one of the couple is child’s mother or father, when
need only be 18 – s.50(2).
• A single applicant may apply if they are at least 21 years
old, and unmarried - s.51(1).
• •Foster Parents – as set out in s.42(4).
• Step-parent adoption: Re H (a child) (adoption order: step-
parent adoption: human rights) [2023]EWHC 3186.
