Adopting an Adult
adult adoption n. The adoption of a person over the age of majority (as defined in State law).
Adult adoption was quite a common occurrence during the ancient/classical periods to carry on a dynasty, occupation, or family name; to care for a parent in old age; or to protect property rights. Today, however, there are three main reasons people pursue the adoption of an adult person.
- Inheritance. This is the most common reason for adult adoption, creating a parent-child relationship that will be legally recognized so that the adopted person can inherit from the adoptive parent(s).
- Formalizing a parent-child relationship. When a previous stepparent-stepchild, foster parent-foster child, or informal parent-child relationship existed, the adult parties may want to formalize the relationship through adoption.
- Perpetual Care. If the person to be adopted is of diminished capacity or abilities, adoption may provide a means of assuring him/her of lifetime care under family insurance, as a legal family member, or through inheritance.
Changes Effected by Adoption
In the same manner as child adoption, the adoption of an adult will result in changes.
- Severing parental relationships. An adoption creates a new parent-child relationship and severs the existing relationship with biological parents (or with the non-custodial biological parent only, in the case of stepparent adult adoption).
- New birth certificate. An amended birth certificate will be issued for the adopted person, showing the adoptive parent(s) as birth parents.
- Name change. The surname (last name) of the adopted person may be changed to that of the adoptive parent(s).
- Sealed records. Adoption records for adult adoptions appear to be treated the same as those for child adoptions in that the records pertaining to the adoption will be sealed according to state law, even though the parties to the adoption are adults and are aware of family details. If this is a matter of concern, parties to the adoption should keep copies of all documents relating to the adoption itself and life events prior to the adoption for safekeeping.
Note: If the only purpose for considering an adult adoption is to change the name of the person to be adopted, name changes are relatively simple procedures and can be done without severing parental rights of existing parents.
Governed by State Law Adult adoption is handled differently in all states. Some state statutes only provide for adult adoption if the person to be adopted is of diminished capacity. Some states require the consent of the spouse of the person to be adopted (if married), some require notification of biological parent(s), and some require nothing more than the consent of the adult parties.
Check state laws on adult adoption here.
More: Adult Adoption, from the Encyclopedia of Adoption Information in this article refers to domestic U.S. adult adoption. For information on the adoption of an adult non-U.S. citizen, contact an immigration specialist. Information in this article does not constitute, and is not a substitute for, legal advice.© Nancy S Ashe
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We are a couple married 36 years; who own a home in a nice area. The one child we had passed away. We would like to find a young man, adult 18 or over, who for whatever reason has no family and would consider being part of a family with us and consider being adopted. And would like a safe secure permanent home with opportunity to further schooling and get a good start in life.
Posted by: RussDolo at 12/17/2008 04:00 PM
Hey there, my name is Adrian and i am originally from Glasgow in Scotland but i moved to North East England with my family when i was 15 years old and since then my family has disolved. My whole life i struggled to find myself, but two years ago i did. I was born female but i am not, i have been born into the wrong body (sorry if that sickens you) and now hope to live the rest of my life as a male. I am now 19.
I have never been accepted, but it is all i have ever wanted, and that is why i add a comment here. I would like a mother and/ or father to love me as a son, and i want someone i can look up to and love for being there for me. My biggest dream, even bigger than being accepted as male, is to make someone proud.
If i have not totally disgusted you and you may be interested in taking me on, then please email me at: adrian.mackinnon@hotmail.com
Thank you for taking the time to read this and i hope you all find happiness and take care of yourselves!
-AdRiAn-
Posted by: AdRiAn-MaC at 07/21/2008 05:49 PM
I am looking for someone to adopt me. I am 34, so I guess the person adapting would need to be at least 44. I am a single mom and I would like to have some parents. I am alone and just need someone to be always there for us. My ex was abusive, and so I had to make the difficult decision to go it alone, and it is hard. I won't post too much for security reasons. I figure that I can always answer people's questions if they are interested enough to ask questions on a one-on-one basis.
Posted by: andiairene at 06/26/2008 01:45 AM
Am a beautiful black 26 years old girl from a family of four, I lived all my life in pain as I was abused verbally, emotionally and physically, I have ask God for a reason that has not been answered though God has been faithful to me, blessing me everyday because I never stop calling him for help and strength to carry on in life.
For some reason my mother never liked me because I was born at the same time she got an admission into a university above all she wanted a boy because I had an elder sister, I was raised by my aunt with support from my father from birth though my parents were living together with other children because she give birth to a boy of her dream after me so at that point she felt I did not fit in anywhere , after so many years my mother decided I come home, that was the beginning of my night mare, I was used and abused, emotional I was drained, physically I was barter, she turned my brothers and sister against me with her lies and gradually her lies started turning my father away from me but occasionally he showed concern.
I never did anything but pray as each day goes by, I was the maid in my parents house (That was what my mother made it to be) soon enough I became used to it as a day to day bases, I struggled through thick and thin through high school, I hoped for the best everyday, I looked for a job even as a minor just to meet my needs, soon someone introduced me to the movie industry, were I work and supported myself through college, I still loved my family no matter how much love I show I never got their love in return, my younger ones grow up making decision with my either one in regard to what happens in my family.
My mother became close to me at a point when she realize I had a wonderful man in my life that finally brought me happiness, but she ended up breaking the relationship with the words of her mouth, I was heart broken but I had the faith that a better man will come.
Then I met my husband who married me and brought me to the united state, I have been doing well, I easily blended into the system because am from an English speaking country, with my talent and beauty in and out above all my husband love made me happy, I now have two beautiful kids.
But I try to make my family love me just the way I love them to no avail, I know am empty without parent or brothers and sisters above all someone to call my mom, I need a family of my own, most especially daughter - child relationship
Am very independent,I have been a certified nurse assistant for a long time and am starting a nursing program in fall, my husband is a professor and almost done with his PhD, am just emotionally drain from not having a family, I need a new sister or brother, father and especially mother , and cheerful holidays and to be loved unconditionally, I need parent-child relationship.
After crying for a very long time I feel my heart will stop any time, my blood pressure became elevated am now on blood pressure medication, with my beautiful kids and my loving husband I want to live long and put an end to my past 26 years of pain, (without a true and sincere love from parents or brothers and sister)am missing a loving family, a caring family, brothers and sister that will understand and love me just as I do, a mother and daughter relationship a daddy's girl love, all this I never had, my hope and believe will get me there.
Am a Christan and a responsible woman, I don't smoke or drink, I don't go to clubs my activities daily is my job, home with my kids and church, I just need a family to fill in the gap, If you are a woman that need the love of a daughter, trust me, or a family that needs a daughter, I need you too.
I pray God lead me to the right person.
[email]amatany2k@yahoo.com[/email]
Posted by: vannypeace at 02/11/2008 03:53 AM
I just started learning about adult adoption here. Wow, I thought I was the only one who really felt I need to be adopted as an adult. I am glad to read there are others with similar situations that need this change.
I was born very talented in many creative entertainment areas. I have been abused mentally and have had a couple people abuse me several times in my life physically. I am 34 years old, still really talented with many dreams nearly crushed because of my family not supporting anything I want to do and literally not loving me at all. All the counseling in the world does not help this, I know, but what would, is a new life with an affluent wealthy family, with a new sister or brother, and cheerful holidays and to be loved unconditionally, which I know nothing about. To be hugged daily and told I love you and mean it? wow, what a dream- But I know it can come true, I believe in my heart, and I decided I want to be adopted asap by a family I can find in the US, even California would be fine. I am U.S. citizen and white and very intelligent and have gone in circles with pursuing everything, and every time I just about get there, I am knocked down very badly and it takes me forever to get back up, I have had to start over, many times, and I am such a kind giving mellow person, not sure why this has happened. But I believe I am supposed to find my soul family that is my REAL family not my current family.
Not sure where to start except to say, I hope someone finds me here that has a huge heart and that would like to adopt a highly talented, beautiful person inside and out that just feels they deserve love, happiness and a good life with a fabulous family, and would like to forget the past 34 years completely and just start over. Thanks for reading this. I am at [email]prbus@aim.com[/email].
Posted by: prbus at 01/20/2008 08:58 PM
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