Adopting your stepchildren

Making an adoption application needs very careful thought, even where it is a step parent who is looking to adopt the child that they are living with.

An Adoption Order transfers the parental responsibilities and legal rights and entitlements from the child’s birth parent to the step parent so it is so important to explore what adoption means, not only for you as parents, but for the child, as ultimately the court’s decision will affect the rest of the child’s life.

Our guide (PDF, 745 KB) provides information to step families about adopting stepchildren.