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The adoption process - eligibility, assessment, adoption agencies, adoption court orders, overseas adoptions and the rights of birth parents.
To be adopted, a child must: be under the age of 18 when the adoption…
To adopt a child you can go through either: an adoption agency that’s part…
Once the agency gets your application it will do the following: Invite you…
To make an adoption legal, you need to apply for an adoption court order.…
You need to tell your local council if you want to adopt your spouse’s or…
You can adopt a child from overseas if: they cannot be cared for in a safe…
For another couple (or person) to adopt your child, you normally have to…
Apply to adopt a child through your local council if you are 21 or over and can offer a stable home to a child
Use form SC6 if you're an employee, are adopting a child from abroad and need to claim Statutory Adoption Pay (SAP) and Leave.
What to do if you are planning to adopt a child in China.
What to do if you are planning to adopt a child in the Philippines.
Your Statutory Adoption Pay and Leave - what you get, how to claim and eligibility
What to do if you are planning to adopt a child in Singapore.
Work out your Statutory Adoption Leave dates - Ordinary and Additional Adoption Leave period, notice period and earliest start date
What the fund is for and how to apply for it.
Legal rights, birth certificates, parental rights and child maintenance
Local authorities and regional adoption agencies can apply for therapeutic funding for eligible adoptive, special guardianship order and child arrangement order families.
Fostering or adopting a child, including from abroad, and being a surrogate mother
Use form SC5 if you're adopting a child from abroad and need to apply for Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP) or paternity leave.
Forms relating to adoption, including those to request adoption, placement and parental orders.
This page provides country-specific information for British nationals on what to do if they are planning to adopt a child overseas.
How adoption agencies should handle applications from people wishing to adopt a child from another country.
Reports on adoption system performance using quarterly survey results - includes reports to the Adoption Leadership Board.
If you were adopted you can access your birth records or get on the Adoption Contact Register to find birth relatives - how to apply, forms and information for birth relatives
Employer guide to Statutory Adoption Pay and Leave - entitlement, eligibility, notice period, proof of adoption, recover statutory pay
Tell Ofsted about a serious incident in a voluntary adoption agency.
Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.
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