Whats the process of adoption in the uk ?

Question

my husband wants to adopt my son we are now married and want to get it done my son had his biological fathers name but it was changed by depol after. and the biological father hardly ever saw my son and dissapeared when my son was 2 years old . can any1 tell us the process of what it will involve and will we need the biological fathers permission ? my son is 6 years old and autistic and needs a real family around him and be in a stable happy lifestyle and a happy loving family just like any other child and were lucky we have found such perfect dad who loves him to bits too :0)

Answer 1

You can get application forms for a step parent adoption at your local county Court. There is a fee payable.  

What you need to do, is contact your local authority and advise them of your husband's intention to adopt your son. They have to have 3 months notice of the adoption application before you send it in to the Court to give them sufficient time to prepare.

They will need to contact you, your husband and son (depending on his age) to speak to you all and prepare a very detailed and quite personal report ready for the Judge.  The Judge will then list a short hearing whereby a 'Guardian' is appointed to look into your situation from an advisory service of social workers called CAFCASS.  CAFCASS will also prepare a report on your situation and try to contact you ex to see if he consents to the adoption.  This isn't the same as asking his permission as a Judge can still make an adoption order if he deems it to be in the child's best interests, whether your ex agrees or not.  The application will be timetabled by the Court and you'll eventually get to a final hearing once all the reports are in and the Judge has enough information to make a decision.

The Court's target to get the application completed is 20 weeks from the date you apply.

Try www.hmcourtsservice.gov.uk for information.

Good luck!!

Answer 2

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Adop...

Good luck and best wishes.

Answer 3

When we adopted in uk we  were lucky as both birth parents had given consent so it was quite straight forward. We were told however that if a woman wanted to give her baby up for adoption, saying she didn't know where the father was - then social services would have to do everything they can to trace the biological father and get his consent. This can take a while and can delay many adoptions. Not sure if it is different with a birth mum and husband adoption but that is what we were told would happen in the case of a normal adoption. Hope this helps and good luck with giving your boy a secure family future!