Can I adopt a child if I’m not married?

Yes, you can adopt a child in California even if you are not married. California adoption law is based on the best interests of the child. Therefore, your marital status does not necessarily prevent you from adopting a child. In California, an unmarried person may adopt a child. The law does not differentiate between married or unmarried people in the adoption process. The prospective parent must be able to provide a safe, stable, and nurturing home for the child and meet certain requirements to be accepted as an adoptive parent. Single parents must successfully pass a home study which includes financial, employment, and criminal background checks. In addition to a background check, the court and social workers may consider the single parent’s lifestyle and any other factors relevant to the adoption. Single parents will also need to provide references and medical and psychological evaluations. The court can decide to approve the adoption regardless of the marital status of the applicant, so being unmarried is not an obstacle to adopting a child in California. However, single adoptive parents typically face more scrutiny than married couples and may be required to meet additional requirements.

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