Adopt a child that you already know

Non-agency adoption refers to situations where a child hasn’t been placed with you by an adoption agency.

The main types of non-agency adoption include:

• step-parent adoption (application by the partner of the parent of a child)
• applications by local authority foster carers
• applications by relatives of the child

You can apply to adopt a child you already know if you’re a close relative, stepparent or foster carer and are 21 years or older.

You can apply for non-agency adoption if you’re a close relative and:

• the child has lived with you (or one of you, if applying as a couple)
• the child has been in your home for more than 3 years (continuous or not) within the last 5 years

You can apply for non-agency adoption if you're a step-parent and:

• the child has lived with both you (stepparent) and your partner for over 6 months
• you have the right to remain in the UK
• you have the consent of the non-resident parent

The court can determine their consent is not required considering the extent the non-resident parent has participated in the child's life, for example, financially, emotionally and practically and extent they do so in the future plus views of the child.

Foster carers can apply after the child has lived with them for at least one year.

When families change, it’s natural to want to share parental responsibility. Adoption isn’t the only way to do this.

Instead of adopting your partner’s child, you could:

• enter into a formal agreement with everyone who has parental responsibility (if you’re married to the child’s resident parent)
• apply to the court for a Parental Responsibility Order or a Child Arrangement Order

If you plan to adopt a child you already know, you must notify your local authority.

This notification should be given no more than 2 years, and no less than 3 months, before you apply for the adoption order.

Get in touch with our adoption team:

• Phone: 01494 586 349
• Email: adoption@buckinghamshire.gov.uk