Does the child have to have been living with us first before we can start adoption proceedings ?
If the adoptees are a parent and step-parent of the child then the child must have been living with the proposed adopters for at least 6 months before an application is made.
Where the child is placed for adoption by an adoption agency, (including local authorities) then the child must have had his or her home with the applicants for at least 10 weeks before the application is made. This 10 week requirement also applies to a natural parent applying to adopt his / her own child.
In the case of other relatives who wish to apply to adopt the child, they must show the child has lived with them for not less than 3 years of the 5 year period before an application can be made.
If the adoptees were previously the child's foster parents then the child must have been living with the adoptees for at least 12 months before an adoption order can be made.
Does an unmarried father have any rights to stop the adoption of his child ?
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