Procedure to Adopt a Child in London, UK

• Get in touch with an adoption agency, and they’ll offer you details on the adoption procedure.
• The adoption agency will set up a meeting with you, and you might also be invited to a meeting with other prospective adoptive parents.
• The agency will provide you with an application form if both you and the agency decide to move further.

Adoptation assessment

• Invite you to several training sessions. These are typically hosted nearby and offer guidance on the potential effects adoption may have on you.
• Make arrangements for a social worker to visit you on a number of occasions so they can do an assessment and determine whether you are qualified to be an adoptive parent.
• Make arrangements for a police check; if you or a family member who is an adult has ever been found guilty of a serious crime, such as one against a child, you will not be permitted to adopt.
• Request the names of three references who will speak well of you. A relative may serve as one of your referees.
• Make arrangements for a thorough medical evaluation of you.

Your Assessment

• An independent adoption panel will receive the assessment report from the social worker. This group of individuals has adoption experience.
• Based on your evaluation, the panel will provide the adoption agency with a recommendation.
• You are welcome to accompany the panel to ask questions and provide answers.
• The adoption agency will review the adoption panel’s suggestion before determining if you are qualified to adopt a child.

If you can adopt a child

• Your agency will start looking for a child as soon as they approve you can adopt. The agency will outline the procedure and your participation options.
• Your agency may recommend the National Adoption Service for Wales if you reside in Wales. This contains information on the children who require adoption across Wales.

Eligibility

• not be (or have never been) married or in a civil partnership at the time the adoption application is completed, and be younger than 18 at the time.

If you are at least 21 years old (there is no maximum age) and one of the following:

• single
• married
• in a civil partnership
• an unmarried couple (same-sex and opposite-sex)
• the partner of the child’s parent.

Applying through Court order

You must request an adoption court order in order to make an adoption legally binding.

• Before you apply, the child must have resided with you for at least 10 weeks.

Once the order has been granted:

• the adoption becomes permanent
• The child is entitled to the same rights as if they were your biological child, such as the inheritance right.
• A copy of the adoption certificate may be purchased. You won’t automatically acquire this.

The order also takes away parental responsibility from:

• the child’s birth parent(s)
• anyone else who has parental responsibility for the child

How to apply through court

• Apply here.
• send the court a completed application for an adoption order – Form A58.

The General Register Office will produce an adoption certificate if your application is approved. This takes the place of the child’s original birth certificate and reflects their new name.

You will not receive a copy of the new certificate automatically; you must purchase one. It will cost £11.