Adoption solicitors

You must be aged 21 or over. There is no upper age limit set in law, though agencies may consider age as part of the broader assessment. For step-parent adoptions, the minimum age is 18.

You can apply to adopt whether you are single, married, in a civil partnership, or cohabiting in an enduring relationship, including same-sex couples. The law in England and Wales does not restrict adoption to married couples or those in any particular type of relationship.

You must be habitually resident in England or Wales and must have lived in the UK for at least one year before beginning the application process. You do not need to be a British citizen.

If you are the partner of a child’s birth parent and wish to adopt that child, separate rules apply. Step-parent adoption requires the consent of the other birth parent, or a court order dispensing with that consent if it is refused or cannot be obtained.

All prospective adopters must pass a suitability assessment, which looks at factors including your health, your home environment, your motivations for adopting, and your ability to meet the long-term needs of a child.

It is worth knowing what does not automatically disqualify you. You do not need to own your home, meet a particular income threshold, or have previous parenting experience. Some people assume that a past criminal conviction will rule them out entirely. In practice, the nature and circumstances of any conviction will be considered as part of the assessment, rather than treated as an automatic bar.

If you are unsure whether you meet the eligibility criteria, or if your circumstances are more complex. For example, if you have previously been refused as an adopter or are considering intercountry adoption. A lawyer can help you understand where you stand before you begin.