adopting a step child

[jones24]

im getting married in a month or two and my husband to be wants to adopt my 3 year old son. the fathers name is not on the birth certificate which is a good sign. i dont know how to go about the adoption or who to talk to or how to start it. should i wait untill after the marriage? please im new at this can someone give me some advice?

[Morticiah]

Hi Jones24, I went through this procedure many many years ago (and I do hope things have changed since then!), so I'm not sure if this info will help!

You need to contact Social Services and they will advise you. We waited until after our marriage, which turned out to be the best way because the Adoption procedure wasn't particularly easy. They wanted proof of our commitment to each other!

We were 'assessed' as to our suitability, very much in the same way as unrelated Adoptive parents are. The fact that my son was 'MY' son was irrelevant ... Bizarrely, we both had to adopt him!

We had to attend lots of interviews and counselling sessions to discuss our Parenting skills, personal differences etc. They even interviewed my 3.5 year old to ask how he felt.

It all took many months and culminated in a Visit to a Magistrates court, who formalised the Adoption! The Magistrates were really lovely made it into a meaningful family event!

I remember getting very stressed at one stage, and asking the Social Workers what would happen if she decided that I wasn't a suitable Parent!! The whole thing was bizarre.

I do hope things are easier now! Good luck!

[Buenchico]

This might help:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/Parents/AdoptionAndFo stering/AdoptionAndFosteringArticles/fs/en?CON TENT_ID=10021340&chk=crZokx

Chris

[girlyrodders]

Morticia that sounds like an awful experience i cent believe everything you had to go through if i had to adopt my own child i would go mad i couldnt handle that!!

I dont think its that complicated now Jones24 i have a couple of friends that have done it and im sure it wasnt that long winded lets hope its changed now!!

Good luck!!

[abigail23]

i was told i would have to adopt my own child too and because we were not married the registry office told us we would get laughed out of court