How can i adopt my girlfriends daughter?

Question

my partners daughter is 5 years old,her fathers name was never put on the birth certificate it was left as unknown for personal reasons,how would i go about adopting her?

Answer 1

First you need to talk to a solicitor that specialises in Family Law and Adoption, then social services will do a check and try to locate the father, when thats done a report will be made to the court, a report is also done by the court officer for records,  and if everything is in order the court will issue an order for adoption.  You will need to be married before you can do this though. This is for Scottish law though, Im not sure where you are at, so this is only what happens here.

Good luck

Answer 2

You could try ringing your local social services adoption team.  They will take you through the application and assessment process.

Answer 3

well you go first and ask your girlfriend if you can then go talk to an attorney

Answer 4

sigining the adopation sheets/marrying ur girlfriend

Answer 5

Call a lawyer that specializes in private adoption.  They will meet with you, take care of all the paperwork and set a court date.  Then you just go to court and raise your right hand.  You can even apply for a new birth certificate with your last name if you choose to do so.  Good luck-you are sweet!

Answer 6

If your married it's a lot easier.  Go to court, get a lawyer and fill out some paperwork.  It might take you 6 months or more to do that though.  Check with a lawyer.

Answer 7

why would you want to do that it just seems weird

Answer 8

You would need to be married first before a judge will allow it.  You need to show that you legally are in the family for a certain amount of time and then seek an adoption attorney to have your name put on the birth certificate.

Answer 9

I just adopted my grand daughter in Ga.every state ,county have different laws .absent father and daughter signed her rights away and we put it in the paper for the father to answer ,he didn't went to court 2 months later and the judge signed the papers in his chambers. I think you should try marriage first ,just my opinion.

Answer 10

Just go to a solicitor...Its easy they will do all the work for you, it probably would be better if you were married, but I doubt if there will be any problems.

Good luck.

Answer 11

If you are in the UK, I am of the understanding that you can only adopt as a couple, so although she is the natural mother, she would need to become the adoptive mother and you'd then be the adoptive father.

Answer 12

Contact an adoption attorney.  Look up AAAA Attorneys, which stands for the American Academy of Adoption Attornies.  Find one in your area.  You'll have to check with your attorney to find out whether or not you need to marry first before adopting, but one thing I'm sure of is they will have to find the father and have him terminate his parental rights before you will be able to adopt.

Answer 13

just talk to a lawyer..it should be very simple...I am going through the same thing with my youngest son...my lawyer said its no problem whatsoever to adopt when their is no father on the birth certificate or anyone to contest the adoption

Answer 14

We have been through this in the UK so have some experience!

I suggest speaking to a solicitor in the first instance, who will then arrange for the various different organisations involved, which include social services. For us it took 2 and half years to go through however her natural father was 'sort of ' in the picture which made things a little more complicated.

Somethings you need to know:-

- It takes a long time

- It will be stressful

- Although your girlfriend is her mother she also adopts. Parental responsibility is given to a guardian while the adoption is processed, and you both adopt her. Technically while going through, your girlfriend, isn't legally responsible, the guardian is

- You and your girlfriend will be interviewed extensively by social services and questions about your view on discipline, how you would react if she took drugs and attitude to s*x before marriage (that sort of thing)

- You need to explain the reason for wanting to adopt

- The little girl will be questioned as well

- Your request will stronger if you are married

- The law changes regularly! While we were going through it, the legislation regarding parental responsibility with regards to the father changed three times!

- When it all goes through, it can be a bit of an anticlimax. There is no big ceremony at the end

- It is worth it!

Take it from me, it is hard work and if solicitors get involved, especially if the natural father contest it, it will be expensive, but ultimatley, it will be worth it.

Your names will be on her marriage certificate when she gets married, you can give permission if she needs medical care (did you know you technically can't give permission, only her mother at the moment? However, if this were to happen, no hospital wouldn't operate if required)

Good luck, if you need more information, please let me know

Answer 15

Go to your local county clerk and talk to them. In Michigan you have to be married to adopt the child of your partner. My husband adopted my daughter and we had to wait to get married for that to happen. Hope that helps

Answer 16

i suggest you marry her first and then talk to a solicitor,good luck,you are a good guy,make sure you treat both of them right though,a few years down the line

Answer 17

Talk to an adoption attorney

Answer 18

If you are married ...That makes it much more easier

Answer 19

it would be much cheaper and easier to marry your girlfriend...

im sure she wouldnt mind being with a guy who ALSO wants to be with her daughter.

Answer 20

Talk to a lawer, He can take care of it.

Answer 21

well you should prolly get married first. that would make it a lot easier.

Answer 22

ask your girlfriend if its okay and take her and her daughter to the adoption agency.

Answer 23

You will need to check the laws in your state. If there is some man out there that can come forward in the future and claim paternity, you need to know this. He will have to willingly give up paternity of this little girl first. Likely, he would do that with the child support hanging over his head for the next 15 years and 5 years of back support.  Then you would go through the adoption process. Good luck. You sound like a great Dad. That little girl is very lucky (and her Mom is, too!)

Answer 24

go to a solicitor

Answer 25

From the birthcertficate the local registery will be able to give father's name.but it is not a must for legal adoption.You can consult your lawer.