Do I Have to Be Married to Adopt A Child?

Many of those who contemplate adoption don’t always know if they can. While it is true that there are plenty of rules, many people assume that they can’t adopt because of certain lifestyle aspects. Each state has different laws when it comes to adopting a child within its borders. Adoption can look alike in many states, but there are some areas where states disagree on who is eligible to adopt.

Assumptions are always made about can adopt a child who needs a home. Many people count themselves out of the process due to their marital status, lifestyle, wealth, or age. One of the most common assumptions is that residents of the Sunshine State have to be married to adopt a child. However, in the state of Florida, you are not required to be married to adopt a child.

Your home study agency and social worker will want to see that you can offer a child a safe and loving home. There are plenty of successful adoptions all across the state that include a wide variety of parents. Some adoptive parents are young and in their 20s while others are older and in their 60s. Some adoptive parents in Florida have millions of dollars in the bank while others have more modest homes. Some adoptive families live in an apartment while others live in the country.

The simple fact is that there is no perfect family standard when it comes to adoption. The most important thing is the ability to commit to a child and offer lifelong support and love to a child who has been through some hard circumstances.

Whether you are married or not, one of the most important aspects of adoption is having the support of those closest to you. This could be a spouse, but it could also be a parent, sibling, or close friend who encourages you in your choice to adopt. There are also many cases where a child may require a single parent household based on past trauma.

Our current world includes many loving households that have two parents in the home who are not married and don’t plan to be. This can be more complicated in adoption, but it can still be done. Anyone who lives within the home should be in full support of adoption no matter who will be completing the adoption process.

If you are single when you adopt, it is essential to note that any future spouse or partner should be willing to love both you and your child. Adoption is a lifelong commitment, for both you and your child, and any new spouse or parent that comes into the picture should be carefully considered.

It can be easy to assume that you don’t meet the requirements for adopting in Florida but don’t count yourself ineligible. Talk to an adoption agency that can help answer your questions as well as guide you to resources that may be helpful along your journey to adopt. There are many cases and circumstances where adoption agencies can work with you no matter your lifestyle.

While there is a lot of paperwork to fill out during your adoption process, know that you don’t have to be married to adopt in the state of Florida.