Part II Adoption Orders

The making of adoption orders

14 Adoption by married couple.

F1(1)

F2. . ., an adoption order shall not be made on the application of more than one person except in the circumstances specified in subsections (1A) and (1B).

(1A)

An adoption order may be made on the application of a married couple where both the husband and the wife have attained the age of 21 years.

(1B)

An adoption order may be made on the application of a married couple where—

(a)

the husband or the wife—

(i)

is the father or mother of the child; and

(ii)

has attained the age of 18 years; and

(b)

his or her spouse has attained the age of 21 years.

(2)

An adoption order shall not be made on the application of a married couple unless—

(a)

at least one of them is domiciled in a part of the United Kingdom, or in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, or

(b)

the application is for a Convention adoption order and F3the requirements of regulations under section 17 are complied with F4, or.

(c)

both of them were habitually resident in any of the places mentioned in paragraph (a) above throughout the period of one year which ends with the date of their application

.