Who can adopt?

Want to adopt a child but unsure whether you’re eligible? Read on to find out if you could adopt.

When it comes to adoption requirements, there are just three criteria that need to be met in order to be considered for adoption. These are:

• be at least 21 years old
• be living in the British Isles
• not to have been convicted or cautioned for offences against children or certain sexual offences

We’re committed to seeing the potential in all applicants and we actively encourage applications from a diverse range of people.

We don’t make our decisions based on marital status, ethnicity, culture, health, disability, sexual orientation, gender or religious beliefs but on your ability to offer a loving, stable home.

You need to be able to stick by your adoptive child through the good times and the bad. You need to support and love them and help them overcome their troubled backgrounds, make sense of who they are and grow up to be safe and secure.

This means you can apply to adopt if you:

• are single or in a relationship
• are married, in a civil partnership or unmarried
• are in a same-sex or opposite-sex relationship
• identify as an LGBT+ person
• are from any ethnic or religious background
• have a health problem or disability
• have more than a few grey hairs
• rent or own your own home
• have a low income, are unemployed or are on benefits
• have a criminal caution or conviction (unless they are for offences against children or certain sexual offences)
• already have children.

Get in touch

If you’d like to find out more information or if you have any questions, please get in touch with our friendly enquiries team who will be happy to help. Click here to complete our online enquiry form, email us at contactus@adoptersforadoption.com or call us on 0800 5877 791.