The second-parent adoption or co-parent adoption is a process by which a partner, who is not biologically related to the child, can adopt their partner's biological or adoptive child without terminating the first legal parent's rights. This process is of interest to many couples, as legal parenthood allows the parent's partner to do things such as: make medical decisions, claim dependency, or gain custody in the event of the death of the biological parent.[1]
Second-parent adoption is relevant in the context of LGBTQ+ adoption. In the United States, second-parent adoption was started by the National Center for Lesbian Rights (formerly the Lesbian Rights Project) in the mid-1980s.[2] The NCLR offers a legal guide that covers the basics of second-parent adoption. According to the NCLR, second parent adoption is the most common means by which LGBTQ+ non-biological parents establish a legal relationship with their child.
Family law varies from state to state in America. Courts in many states have granted second-parent adoptions to same-sex couples, though there is no statewide law or court decision that guarantees this. In fact, courts within the same state but in different jurisdictions often contradict each other in practice. According to the NCLR, it is legally advisable for LGBTQ+ parents to get an adoption or parentage judgment to ensure that their parental rights are fully protected in every state.[3]
The American Medical Association (AMA) supported second parent adoption by same-sex partners,[4] stating that lack of formal recognition can cause health-care disparities for children of same-sex parents. The American Academy of Pediatrics also supports second parent adoption.[5] [6] The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry says they oppose all discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity regarding custodial, foster, or adoptive rights. The American Bar Association supports second parent adoptions by unmarried persons, saying it is in the best interest of the child.[7]
Countries other than America similarly support second-parent adoption. In July 2011, The Ministry of Labour, Family and Social Affairs of Slovenia stated that the existing law allows for second-parent adoption.[8] In the context of LGBTQ+ adoption and parenting in Australia, As of 2008, the best option was to apply to the Family Court of Australia for a parenting order, as ‘other people significant to the care, welfare and development’ of the child. It provides an important "status quo" if the birth mother were to die, preventing other family members from taking immediate custody of the child.[9] [10]
An adoption home study must be completed for any second-parent wanting to adopt. The adoption home study process ensures that the child is placed in a home that will best suit their needs. This process is dependent upon the state in which the adoption will take place.[11]
If second-parent adoption is not a legal option in certain counties or states, the Human Rights Campaign suggests taking precautionary steps, such as: a written custody agreement or a co-parent agreement between partners.[12] Also suggested is gathering evidence to prove you are a family.
Note that where second parent adoption is illegal, it is illegal for both different sex and same-sex couples.[3]
| U.S. States | Is second-parent adoption legal for married couples? | Is second-parent adoption legal for unmarried and/or domestic partners (whether same-sex or opposite-sex)? | Are same-sex couples explicitly granted the right to second-parent adoption? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | No | Yes (in certain counties) | |
| Alaska | Yes | Yes | No | |
| Arizona | Yes | Yes | No | |
| Arkansas | Yes | Yes | No | |
| California | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Colorado | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Connecticut | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Delaware | Yes | Yes | Yes (in certain counties) | |
| District of Columbia | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Florida | Yes | Yes | Yes (in certain counties) | |
| Georgia | Yes | Yes | Yes (in certain counties) | |
| Hawaii | Yes | Yes | Yes (in certain counties) | |
| Idaho | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Illinois | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Indiana | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Iowa | Yes | Yes | Yes (in certain counties) | |
| Kansas | Yes | No | No | |
| Kentucky | Yes | No | No | |
| Louisiana | Yes | Yes | Yes (in certain counties) | |
| Maine | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Maryland | Yes | Yes | Yes (in certain counties) | |
| Massachusetts | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Michigan | Yes | Yes | No | |
| Minnesota | Yes | Yes | Yes (in certain counties) | |
| Mississippi | Yes | Yes | No | |
| Missouri | Yes | Yes | No | |
| Montana | Yes | Yes | No | |
| Nebraska | Yes | No | Yes | |
| Nevada | Yes | Yes | No | |
| New Hampshire | Yes | Yes | No | |
| New Jersey | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| New Mexico | Yes | Yes | No | |
| New York | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| North Carolina | Yes | No | No | |
| North Dakota | Yes | Yes | No | |
| Ohio | Yes | No | No | |
| Oklahoma | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Oregon | Yes | Yes | Yes (in certain counties) | |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Rhode Island | Yes | Yes | Yes (in certain counties) | |
| South Carolina | Yes | Yes | No | |
| South Dakota | Yes | Yes | No | |
| Tennessee | Yes | Yes | No | |
| Texas | Yes | Yes | Yes (in certain counties) | |
| Utah | Yes | No | No | |
| Vermont | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Virginia | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Washington | Yes | Yes | Yes (in certain counties) | |
| West Virginia | Yes | Yes | Yes (in certain counties) | |
| Wisconsin | Yes | No | No | |
| Wyoming | Yes | Yes | No |
In 2014, California enacted the Modern Family Act. Assembly Bill 2344 became Section 9000.5 of the Family Code. It speeds up the second-parent adoption process for couples that include the child's birth mother or parent who used a gestational surrogate.[13]
The Family Equality Council wrote in 2016 that second parent adoptions were unavailable in Alabama.
Nonetheless, in 2016, in V.L. vs E.L., the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the Constitution requires the Alabama state courts to recognize a Georgia state court’s adoption order.[14] This followed an attempt by the Alabama Supreme Court to overturn a second parent same-sex adoption that had been validly granted by Georgia.[15]
Stepparent adoption is legal in Alabama.[16] "[T]he first requirement to be met", said a 2022 article published by the Alabama State Bar, "is that the petitioning parties be 'husband and wife.' The adoption code makes no exception for couples living together who are not married."[17] The law was updated in 2023 to use the phrasing "an unmarried couple may not adopt a minor" but kept the requirement of marriage.[18] Additionally, some courts have turned down requests to adopt a same-sex spouse’s child.[19]
The law says: "Any adult, or married adult couple jointly, may adopt any minor or adult as their child."[20]
In Nebraska, any single adult, stepparent, or married couple may adopt.[21] [22]
In a 2002 court case, In re Adoption of Luke, 263 Neb. 365, the Supreme Court of Nebraska ruled that a biological parent's unmarried partner could not adopt their child in a second parent adoption.[23]
In 2021, an unmarried lesbian couple sued Nebraska's health department for not allowing both of them to be on their son's birth certificate. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services denied their request. They stated that the only routes to legal parenthood are marriage, adoption, or biological relationship. According to the lawsuit, Nebraska case law prohibits second-parent adoption by an unmarried non-birth parent.[24] [25]
, Nebraska law says that "any minor child may be adopted by any adult person or persons", though it references In re Adoption of Luke.[26] [27]
In North Carolina, married couples can jointly adopt if they've been married at least six months.[28] A biological parent's spouse can adopt their child if the other biological parent waives their parental rights. This is called a stepparent adoption.[29]
Individuals can adopt as well.
However, unmarried couples cannot adopt together. Second parent adoption is illegal.[30]
To adopt in Utah, one must either be married and have permission from their spouse (i.e., stepparent adoption) or single and not living with another person.[31] [32] Anyone cohabitating in a non-marital sexual relationship cannot adopt in Utah.[16] The adoptee must also be 10 years younger than the adopter.[33] While there is no law specifically permitting unmarried couples to adopt (i.e., second parent adoption), Equality Utah says it is possible to obtain these adoptions.[34]