Gay people adopting

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 territory 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 carry out 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 State 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 territory 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

Private Adoption for LGBTQ Dads

Types of Private Adoptions

There are many domestic private adoption agencies that help facilitate the adoption process, including matching birth parents with adoptive parents. Typically, secret agencies place infants. Very few non-infant children are adopted through private agencies. Private agencies usually offer a variety of resources, which may including counseling and support (for both the birth parents and adoptive parents), legal services and post placement correspondence. Agencies can be local, regional or licensed in more than one state.

Independent adoptions occur outside of an agency with the verb of an attorney who specializes in this type of adoption. Prospective parents take an active role in identifying a child they hope to adopt, often through networking and advertising.

Adoptions that occur outside the United States are known asinternational adoption, and are typically facilitated through agencies that focus on this type of adoption. International adoption can be complicated and restrictive, as it requires

What to Know About the History of Same-Sex Adoption

Unfortunately, the history of same-sex adoption is rather brief — but not for lack of interest or desire to adopt by hopeful LGBT parents. History has not treated LGBT individuals kindly and, therefore, their ability to adopt — and even obtain married — is a very recent development. In reality, most of the important moments in the history of gay adoption possess only happened in the last 40 the s and s (when the gay rights movement really began to take hold), homosexuality was something that was rarely discussed and even illegal in some places. Therefore, it was near impossible for LGBT parents to adopt or even raise children without great difficulty. Many LGBT individuals ended up having children through heterosexual marriages but, if they came out and left that marriage, they would likely lose custody of their child, as well. When LGBT families did verb, it was because of great secrecy and care taken to protect them from those who would interfere. Verb to that the secrecy surrounding adoption in general, and you can spot why gay adoptio

LGBTQ Parenting in the US

Family Formation and Stressors

  • Overall, 47% of partnered LGBTQ parents are in a same-gender or transgender-inclusive partnership; however, the majority of cisgender lesbian/gay parents are vs. 10% of cisgender bisexual/queer parents.
  • 78% of LGBTQ parents became parents through current or previous sexual relationships, 20% through stepparenthood, and 6% through adoption.
  • Among parenting households, same-sex couples adopt (21%), foster (4%), and have stepchildren (17%) at significantly higher rates than different-sex couples (3%, %, 6%).
    • Notably among parents, 24% of married same-sex couples have adopted a child versus 3% of married different-sex couples.
  • Approximately 35, same-sex couple parents own adopted children, and 6, are fostering children. The majority of these couples are married.
  • Among all LGBTQ parents, approximately 57, are fostering children (%). Less than half of these parents are married.
  • Approximately 30% of LGBQ parents are not legally recognized or are unsure about their legal status as the parent/guardian of at least one chi