Applying to Adopt
We welcome interest from all parts of the community, including members of minority groups. The Adoption Act 1978 requires that all adopters must be over the age of 21.
We have also agreed further criteria that must be met by those applying to adopt:
- applicants must live within Stirling Council's area or within 30 miles of Stirling city as a general rule, there should be no more than 45 years of an age difference between adopters and child
- couples must have lived together in a stable relationship for a minimum of 3 years
- applications will be accepted from cohabiting couples, but they should note that only one of them will be able to legally adopt
Applications are welcomed from single people but such applicants must be able to show that there are relatives or friends living nearby who are supportive of the application and available to be a support if a child is placed.
Many couples decide on adoption because they cannot have children of their own. It takes some time to come to terms with infertility and for this reason the we will not accept applications from people undergoing fertility treatment, or for one year after the treatment has finished.
Likewise, the loss of a child through death or miscarriage is a harrowing experience which takes time to come to terms with. We therefore ask people to give themselves at least one year to grieve their loss before thinking of adoption.
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