Adopting your partner's child

If you want to adopt your partner's child, or maybe your grandchild or other relative, the process is slightly different. You'll need to tell your local council about your plans three months before you start the adoption process through the courts.

The court will ask a social worker from your local council to write a report about your partner, the child and the other birth parent, to help them to make a decision.

You can't adopt your partner's child if the child's other parent doesn't agree to it, although in some situations the court can override this.

An alternative to adoption might be that the step-parent can get parental responsibility, but only if the other birth parent agrees.

Where next?
- How to grow a happy family: Step-families
- How to deal with step-family issues

Sources and other help:
- www.adoptionuk.com
- After Adoption support group
- Department for children, schools and families
- British Association for Adoption and Fostering
- www.bemyparent.org.uk

By Vicky Woollaston