Child adoption
Adopting a stepchild
You need to tell your local council if you want to adopt your spouse鈥檚 or partner鈥檚 child. You must do this at least 3 months before applying to a court for an adoption order.
皇冠体育app child must also have lived with both of you for at least 6 months.
皇冠体育app adoption assessment
皇冠体育app process to adopt is similar to an assessment through an adoption agency.
皇冠体育app assessment is used to help a court decide if you can adopt the child (rather than being sent to an independent adoption panel).
皇冠体育app court will ask your local council to provide a report on:
- your partner
- the child
- the other birth parent
皇冠体育app report will be prepared by a social worker and will be used to help the court make a decision.
If granted, the adoption court order gives you parental responsibility for the child - along with your spouse or partner.
皇冠体育app order also takes away parental responsibility from:
- the child鈥檚 other birth parent
- anyone else who has parental responsibility for the child
An adoption order cancels any other type of court order, such as how and when the child鈥檚 birth parent can visit the child.