Same sex adoption laws

Intercountry Adoption

Like all U.S. citizens considering intercountry adoption, LGB persons, and same-sex couples must comply with the laws and regulations governing adoption and immigration in the child's country of origin and in the United States.

U.S. federal law does not prohibit LGB U.S. citizens or same-sex couples from being adoptive parents. However, some foreign countries do not permit LGB individuals or same-sex couples to adopt. When deciding to pursue intercountry adoption, prospective parents should be sure to research whether the country they are interested in adopting from permits adoption by LGB persons or couples.

The Department of Mention includes adoption eligibility requirements for specific countries in the Region Information section of our website, including information on laws surrounding LGB adoptions when that information is available. Where this information is not included on the relevant country page, prospective parents may consult a U.S. accredited adoption service provider (ASP) that works in the country of interest or the relevant adoption authorit

The international legal framework of adoption rights of the LGBTQI+ community: status and key challenges

Tuesday 22 April

Renato Guerrieri

Guyer & Regules, Montevideo

eri@

Italo Raymondo

Guyer & Regules, Montevideo

iraymondo@

Introduction

Adoption is a legal proceeding that allows an individual or couple to adopt a child who is not a biological relative, seeking social and family protection, and ultimately the wellbeing and best interest of the adopted child, by creating a family bond and giving adopting parents the obligations, duties and rights of parents.

For the LGBTQI+ community, in spite of the daunting challenges of the often lengthy, burdensome and emotional adoption proceedings itself, adoption is a relevant mechanism, and in many cases the only one, of constituting a family.[1] This is in lieu of biological means in most cases, and with legal limitations and/or voids and cultural and/or economic barriers regarding other potential alternatives in many jurisdictions, such as donor conception including IVF, surrogacy, or co-parenting.

However, LGBTQI

Facts and Figures: Same-Sex Adoption Statistics

  • As of , LGBTQ adoption was effectively made legal in all 50 U.S. states.
  • Today, LGBTQ individuals are coming out earlier in life and an increasing number of same-sex couples are planning and creating their families through assisted reproductive technology (ART) and surrogacy, as well as adoption and foster care.
  • As of this last decade, an estimated 6 to 14 million children contain a gay or lesbian parent. And, between 8 and 10 million children are being raised in gay and lesbian households.
  • The states with the top percentages of gay and lesbian parents are: Washington, D.C., Massachusetts, California, New Mexico and Alaska, with the state of California having the highest number of adopted children living with same sex parents.
  • LGBTQ couples are four times more likely to have an adopted child than their counterpart different-sex couples.
  • According to a verb release by UCLA’s Williams Institute, same-sex couples that adopt children are more diverse in socioeconomic status and ethnicity, contrary to popular misconceptions that they

    LGBTQ Adoption: Can Same-Sex Couples Adopt?

    There’s a core belief at the heart of adoption: Family is more than biology.

    Family is love.

    Due to our belief in this truth, we are proud to fully support LGBTQ adoption.

    Or contact ADOPTION.

    We assist in many LGBTQ adoptions and have been honored to help hundreds of wonderful couples fulfill their dream of becoming parents.

    How Common is LGBTQ Adoption?

    Today’s families are more diverse than ever, especially in the world of adoption — transracial, multicultural, same-sex and single-parent families are all often created through adoption. Same-sex adoption statistics propose that more and more gay couples are adopting.

    In fact, same-sex couples are four times more likely to be raising an adopted child and six times more likely to be raising foster children than heterosexual couples. Today, 4 percent of adopted children and 3 percent of foster children are raised by gay and lesbian parents, and 2 million more LGBTQ individuals are interested in adopting.

    Adoption can be a great way for same-s