WHO CAN ADOPT?
WANT TO ADOPT
Residents of the State of Arizona can finalize their adoption in Arizona. If an Arizona expectant parent wishes to place her baby with prospective adoptive parents out of state, those adoptive parents must finalize their adoption in their home state. Residents of other states may finalize their adoption in Arizona only when adopting an Arizona foster child.
For Arizona residents, the adopting person can be a single person, a married couple jointly adopting, or a married person adopting individually. Same sex couples may adopt in Arizona, but must be married to each other if adopting together. Arizona does not permit unmarried persons to jointly adopt.
While adoption for same-sex couples may have been difficult in the past, it’s now a common way for LGBT parents to grow their families — with the same adoption rights and parental rights as any straight couple. If you’re considering LGBT adoption in Arizona, you’ve come to the right place. Not only can we help you complete the same-sex adoption process, but we also offer the critical service of making sure that your parental rights to your child are protected, no matter how you create your family.
We are committed to representing your rights in a same-sex couple adoption in Arizona and can help you understand what adoption processes are available to you based on your situation. To learn more today, please call us at 480-420-2900.
Adopting Jointly as a Married Couple
If you are a married couple in Arizona, you can complete the typical adoption process (whether that’s through the foster system, through private domestic infant adoption or international adoption) in the same manner as any other married couple. Depending on your preferences, you can choose to work with an adoption agency or complete the adoption independently with an adoption lawyer.
While it’s typically not a problem, there are professionals who will not work with same-sex couples. Therefore, make sure you do diligent research before deciding to work with a certain adoption professional if you are a same-sex couple.
We can provide the legal services for a LGBT adoption, as well as provide you references to open-minded adoption professionals we trust for starting your same-sex adoption process.
Adopting a Child Through a Stepparent Adoption
If you’ve recently married someone who previously adopted a child on their own, or you and your spouse were unable to adopt jointly at the time your child came into your home, you can still become a legal parent of that child. You can protect your parental rights through a stepparent same-sex adoption.
The stepparent adoption process is the same for gay couples adopting as it is for straight couples adopting: You must have been married for at least one year and lived with the child for at least six months to avoid the need for a home study (or social study).
However, if you don’t meet the marriage-length requirements, you might be able to still complete a stepparent adoption today. It’s best you talk to your lawyer about your individual situation and what requirements your LGBT adoption will require.
Adopting as an Unmarried Couple or as a Single Person
Unfortunately, if you are not married, you cannot jointly adopt a child in Arizona. While some states allow for second-parent adoptions for unmarried couples, in Arizona, you will need to be married for both partners to be recognized as legal parents (whether you are a same-sex couple or not). Once you are married, you can complete a stepparent adoption or adopt jointly together.
If you’re not in a relationship, that doesn’t prevent you from adopting a child. Any single person, straight or not, can adopt a child in Arizona as long as you are over the age of 18. You will also have to undergo an adoption home study and other background clearances. As long as you can prove you are just as capable of caring for a child as any married couple (financially, emotionally, or physically), you should not encounter any additional challenges to your single parent adoption in Arizona.
No matter what kind of adoption in Arizona you’re looking to complete, you’ll need to consult with an experienced adoption attorney to determine what steps you’ll need to take.