Who can adopt a child in the US?

In the United States, anyone over the age of 18 can apply to become an adoptive parent. The particular laws of each state determine who is eligible to adopt a child. In Indiana, prospective adoptive parents must be at least 18 years old and have reached majority age in their state. The adoptive parent(s) must also be financially and emotionally stable, able to provide for the needs of the child, and not have any major health problems that would interfere with parenting. In some cases, like second parent adoption or stepparent adoption, the prospective parent(s) must be married to the legal parent of the child being adopted. In Indiana, only married couples and single individuals can adopt. Couples must be married for at least 6 months before filing an adoption petition. The parents must be psychologically evaluated, complete a criminal background check, provide references, and have a home study before the adoption can be finalized. The court may also require that the prospective parent(s) attend an adoptive parent training program. In addition, the law prohibits some people from adopting, such as those with certain criminal convictions or histories of domestic violence or substance abuse. The court will also take into account whether the prospective parent(s) can successfully provide for the child’s physical, emotional, and financial needs.

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Who can adopt a child in the US?

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