Step-parent adoption

If you wish to adopt your partner’s child/children from a previous marriage or relationship so that you become the legal parent of the child/children and share parental responsibility for them, this describes adoption by a step-parent.

Adoption is not necessarily appropriate in all step-parent situations. The local authority has a duty to investigate the circumstances and prepare a report to court of their findings. This is because once adopted the child's legal links with their absent birth parent and wider family will be broken.

A social worker will make several visits to a family and make various checks.

• Alternatives to step-parent adoption
• Who can apply for step-parent adoption?
• The assessment process
• Step by step guide to applying
• Contact information