Are couples sometimes required to get married?

Question

before adopting? in the UK.

I saw a documentary a few years ago about an unmarried (straight) couple trying to adopt and but their being married was set as a condition.

I know that one does not have to be married to adopt, so i assume the recommedation was made secifically based on their case.

Does this still happen?

Answer 1

In many areas in the USA, you can adopt as a single parent, with the other person not living in the household, but cannot adopt as a living together couple.  

Answer 2

when my husband and i were lookin into adoption they told us that we had to be married at least 2 years we will be married 2 years oct 17 of this year but if we were not married i could adopt as a single parent but my husband could not live with me

Answer 3

in areas such as the UK, russia, etc, they will most likely only allow you to adopt if you are a married couple. im not really sure that its always like that, but in my case thats what the adoption agency said.

Answer 4

If you wish to adopt as a couple, you have to be at least a domestic pair (as in to allow same s*x partners to adopt). With a male and female couple, social workers want to see the stability in the relationship that marriage represents. They would not knowingly send children into a situation where an unmarried couple would potentially be fighting for custody if they are doing their job. In fact, many agencies require two years of marriage before adopting. Adopting as an individual is treated differently as long as the adopting parent can prove themselves able to care for the child (i.e. is not living with mom and dad, recently divorced, a felon or recent legal issues, or having bankruptcy or forclosure on record. It depends on the child. The older children and relatives are more likely to be cleared for single parents. Oh , and the live-in partner situation is a big turnoff even if only one is intending to adopt.

Answer 5

YOu don't have to be married to adopt but only one person can adopt the child.   So for both to be the parents they have to be married the same is true in the US. Two single people can't adopt the same child.