Step Parent Adoption

If you wish to adopt your partner’s child/children from a previous marriage or relationship so that you become the legal parent of the child/children and share parental responsibility for them, this describes adoption by a step parent.

Why adopt?

It is natural to want to provide security and stability for all members of a new family. Many people consider step parent adoption as the usual way to achieve this.

Doing what’s right for the children

Adoption is first and foremost about what is best for the child/children involved.

Step parent adoption is not the only way to provide a stable and secure family environment or to recognise the rights, roles and responsibilities of family members.

Courts will often consider a number of different alternatives.