Step-parents can apply to adopt their spouse’s or partner’s child without the partner, who is already the biological parent of the child, also applying to adopt the child. The interpretation of “step-parent” includes the civil partner of a parent of the child; a cohabitant couple where the other cohabitant is a parent of the child; and the spouse of a parent of the child. The child must have lived with the biological parent and partner together for a minimum of 2 years.
The biological parent can consent to the adoption while keeping parental rights and responsibilities. Once the adoption order is made, the biological parent will share the parental rights and responsibilities with the spouse or partner.
The effect of step-parent adoption is:
- the step-parent becomes the adoptive parent with full parental rights and responsibilities in respect of the child
- the family can all have the same surname
- the biological father has no further rights or responsibilities to the child and will have no possibility of getting rights in the future
- the child will have the same rights, including succession rights, as any subsequently born children of either parent born both inside or outside of marriage
- where the adoption takes place within a marriage, the adoption creates a legal family unit with constitutional protection as if the child had been born into that family unit.
The child will have a certificate which is a copy of the entry in the Adopted Children’s Register.
*Note: the same rules will apply if a father who is a guardian and has the primary care (custody) of his child wishes to apply to adopt the child with someone other than the mother.
Adoption completely severs all legal links between the child and her/his birth parent and extended family. This means that following the adoption the other birth parent has no legal right to have contact with the child. The adoptive parents may agree that the birth parent can stay in touch but if this agreement breaks down he/she does not have the right to go to court to look for access.
Adoption changes the identity of the child and obscures her/his birth details. Children need to know the truth about themselves. They need to know who they are, where they came from and where they fit in. Where a child is in a family with a parent who is not his/her birth parent, it is important that this fact is acknowledged and that opportunities are found to discuss these issues with the child in an open and honest manner. Even if a child has had no contact with the birth father/mother in general it is important for the child to know about the father/mother and his/her family.
Apply directly to TUSLA the Child and Family Agency, local office.
TUSLA the Child and Family Agency may forward the application for assessment to an accredited assessment agency. In order to decide if adoption is appropriate the assigned social worker will make a number of visits to the family home. This is to ensure that the child and the step-parent are bonding well and that adoption is in the best interest of the child. The social worker will want to talk to younger children to ensure that they understand what is happening. If, on receipt of a report from TUSLA the Child and Family Agency, the Adoption Authority is satisfied that adoption is appropriate and that all legal requirements are met the adoption order will be granted. The views of the child shall be ascertained by the Adoption Authority or by the court, as the case may be, and shall be given due weight, having regard to the age and maturity of the child.
The mother is automatically a guardian of her child and her consent is always required before an adoption order can be made. If the child’s biological father is a legal guardian his consent to the adoption is required by law. Any other guardian of the child will be required to give consent for the adoption to take place such as non-parental guardians appointed by the court with a specific right to place the child for adoption and consent to the adoption of the child.
If the birth father is not a guardian of the child he must be consulted about the adoption if this is possible. The father will have at least 21 days from the day of notice to make an application for guardianship of the child. If the father applies to the court to become a guardian then adoption proceedings are put on hold until the outcome of the court hearing for guardianship. Where consultation is not possible or is considered inappropriate, the Adoption Authority, having first obtained the approval of the High Court, may make the adoption order without consulting the birth father.
If a father is concerned that he may not be consulted by the Adoption Authority he can make a request in writing to the Adoption Authority, before or after the birth of his child, that he be consulted if:
- his child is being placed for adoption, or
- an application has been made by the mother or a relative to adopt his child
Relevant non-guardians are certain interested parties to an adoption, but are not full legal guardians, and consequently are not required to give consent to the adoption process, but such persons have a right to be consulted in relation to the adoption. It includes temporary guardians and non-parental guardians appointed by the court with no specific right to place the child for adoption or to consent to the adoption of the child.
For further information on step-parent adoption contact:
TUSLA the Child and Family Agency, local office
The Adoption Authority of Ireland
Shelbourne House, Shelbourne Road, Dublin 4Tel: 01 – 2309300
www.aai.gov.ie
E-Mail: info@aai.gov.ie
If you would like to talk through your individual situation, call us on our confidential number 01 670 0120
Download our Information Leaflet on Step Parent Adoption HERE
Information Pack for Unmarried Parents
Treoir 2022
While every effort has been made to ensure the information provided in this webpage is accurate, no responsibility can be accepted by Treoir for any error or omission.
What is Step-Parent Adoption?
Step-parents can apply to adopt their spouse’s or partner’s child without the partner, who is already the biological parent of the child, also applying to adopt the child. The interpretation of “step-parent” includes the civil partner of a parent of the child; a cohabitant couple where the other cohabitant is a parent of the child; and the spouse of a parent of the child. The child must have lived with the biological parent and partner together for a minimum of 2 years.
The biological parent can consent to the adoption while keeping parental rights and responsibilities. Once the adoption order is made, the biological parent will share the parental rights and responsibilities with the spouse or partner.
The effect of step-parent adoption is:
- the step-parent becomes the adoptive parent with full parental rights and responsibilities in respect of the child
- the family can all have the same surname
- the biological father has no further rights or responsibilities to the child and will have no possibility of getting rights in the future
- the child will have the same rights, including succession rights, as any subsequently born children of either parent born both inside or outside of marriage
- where the adoption takes place within a marriage, the adoption creates a legal family unit with constitutional protection as if the child had been born into that family unit.
The child will have a certificate which is a copy of the entry in the Adopted Children’s Register.
*Note: the same rules will apply if a father who is a guardian and has the primary care (custody) of his child wishes to apply to adopt the child with someone other than the mother.
Other aspects of step-parent adoption
Adoption completely severs all legal links between the child and her/his birth parent and extended family. This means that following the adoption the other birth parent has no legal right to have contact with the child. The adoptive parents may agree that the birth parent can stay in touch but if this agreement breaks down he/she does not have the right to go to court to look for access.
Adoption changes the identity of the child and obscures her/his birth details. Children need to know the truth about themselves. They need to know who they are, where they came from and where they fit in. Where a child is in a family with a parent who is not his/her birth parent, it is important that this fact is acknowledged and that opportunities are found to discuss these issues with the child in an open and honest manner. Even if a child has had no contact with the birth father/mother in general it is important for the child to know about the father/mother and his/her family.
How to apply to adopt
Apply directly to TUSLA the Child and Family Agency, local office.
TUSLA the Child and Family Agency may forward the application for assessment to an accredited assessment agency. In order to decide if adoption is appropriate the assigned social worker will make a number of visits to the family home. This is to ensure that the child and the step-parent are bonding well and that adoption is in the best interest of the child. The social worker will want to talk to younger children to ensure that they understand what is happening. If, on receipt of a report from TUSLA the Child and Family Agency, the Adoption Authority is satisfied that adoption is appropriate and that all legal requirements are met the adoption order will be granted. The views of the child shall be ascertained by the Adoption Authority or by the court, as the case may be, and shall be given due weight, having regard to the age and maturity of the child.
Whose consent is required before an adoption order can be made?
The mother is automatically a guardian of her child and her consent is always required before an adoption order can be made. If the child’s biological father is a legal guardian his consent to the adoption is required by law. Any other guardian of the child will be required to give consent for the adoption to take place such as non-parental guardians appointed by the court with a specific right to place the child for adoption and consent to the adoption of the child.
Who must be consulted before an adoption order can be made?
If the birth father is not a guardian of the child he must be consulted about the adoption if this is possible. The father will have at least 21 days from the day of notice to make an application for guardianship of the child. If the father applies to the court to become a guardian then adoption proceedings are put on hold until the outcome of the court hearing for guardianship. Where consultation is not possible or is considered inappropriate, the Adoption Authority, having first obtained the approval of the High Court, may make the adoption order without consulting the birth father.
If a father is concerned that he may not be consulted by the Adoption Authority he can make a request in writing to the Adoption Authority, before or after the birth of his child, that he be consulted if:
- his child is being placed for adoption, or
- an application has been made by the mother or a relative to adopt his child
Relevant non-guardians are certain interested parties to an adoption, but are not full legal guardians, and consequently are not required to give consent to the adoption process, but such persons have a right to be consulted in relation to the adoption. It includes temporary guardians and non-parental guardians appointed by the court with no specific right to place the child for adoption or to consent to the adoption of the child.
For further information on step-parent adoption contact:
TUSLA the Child and Family Agency, local office
The Adoption Authority of Ireland
Shelbourne House, Shelbourne Road, Dublin 4Tel: 01 – 2309300
www.aai.gov.ie
E-Mail: info@aai.gov.ie
If you would like to talk through your individual situation, call us on our confidential number 01 670 0120
Download our Information Leaflet on Step Parent Adoption HERE
Information Pack for Unmarried Parents
Treoir 2022
While every effort has been made to ensure the information provided in this webpage is accurate, no responsibility can be accepted by Treoir for any error or omission.