How to Adopt a Child in a Gay/Lesbian Relationship

Although it won't be easy, it's certainly possible for you and your partner to raise a family. In 1999, estimates of the total number of children nationwide living with at least one gay parent ranged from 6 million to 14 million.



Step1
Contact a local organization for lesbian or gay parents. Its members will be best able to provide relevant information for your particular region, including what is possible and what has been done in the past.


Step2
Consider your options: adoption through a public or private agency, adoption through an intermediary mother and adoption through an international agency. See "How to Legally Adopt a Foreign Child" for this final option.


Step3
Research public and private adoption agencies thoroughly before making your selection. The general procedure involves an interview of the prospective parents by the agency, who then recommends specific couples to the court. Disclosing your sexual preference is unnecessary and might decrease your chances of being selected.


Step4
Alternatively, enlist the aid of an individual intermediary to help you locate a child in states where this is legal. Know that in many states it is illegal to advertise for an adoption.


Step5
Obtain the consent of the child's biological mother and father once you or your intermediary locate a child. Biological parents must sign a consent-to-adopt form, legally forfeiting parental rights. An adoption proceeding is then filed in court. Consider registering simply as two parents to circumvent the traditional mother/father parental roles.

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