Adoption and parental rights
Welcome to our parenting, children and adoption law area - free information and resources from the UK's leading lawyers for modern families.
Parenting and adoption information and guidance
Do you want to secure your legal status for your child?
Find out more about step parent adoption, acquiring parental responsibility, guardianship, securing rights for lesbian non-birth mothers, and options for co-parenting arrangements.
Are you considering adopting a UK child you don't know?
Find out more about UK agency adoption.
Do you want to know more about inter-country adoption?
Find out more about adopting overseas, adopting in the UK if you don't live here, and UK recognition of non-UK adoption orders.
Resources and information:
Resources: the Adoption and Children Act 2002
The Adoption and Child Act 2002 sets out the law, eligibility criteria and process for applying for adoption in the UK.
Resources: the Children Act 1989
The Children Act 1989 sets out the law on parental responsibility, special guardianship and child arrangements orders.
Court form: Adoption application Form A58
Form A58 is the court form you need to apply for adoption in the UK, whether a step-parent/partner adoption or an unrelated adoption. You can find the application form and accompanying notes here.
Court form: Parental responsibility agreement (for legal parents)
These forms gives parental responsibility to an unmarried father or unmarried/non-civilly partnered female second parent, where he or she has not been registered on the birth certificate. Please note that this form can only be used to give parental responsibility to someone who is a legal parent. Find out more about acquiring parental responsibility.
Form C(PRA)1 - for legal fathers
Form C(PRA)3 - for unmarried non-birth mothers who are legal parents
Court form: Step-parent parental responsibility agreement
This form gives parental responsibility to the spouse or civil partner of a legal parent with parental responsibility. Find out more about acquiring parental responsibility.
Court form: Application for a child arrangements order C100
This is the form you use to apply to court for a child arrangements order. This might be used in disputed situations or as a means of acquiring parental responsibility where everyone agrees.
NGA publication: Stonewall's Pregnant Pause
Natalie wrote the legal sections of Stonewall's well-known guide for lesbian couples considering starting a family together. It contains useful information on all the things to consider if you are thinking of starting a family.
NGA publication: Stonewall Gay Dads' Guide
Natalie wrote the legal sections of Stonewall's well-known Gay Dads' Guide for same sex couples considering starting a family together. It contains useful information on all the things you need to consider about your options for building a family through surrogacy, adoption, co-parenting or sperm donation.
