Adopting a step-child or relative
Each year, our department receives many enquiries from people considering the possibility of adopting their step-child. The legislation provides for relative adoption, however this has not occurred in recent years.
- Step-child adoption - where the parent caring for the child (custodial parent) has remarried and their partner applies to adopt the child in their care.
- Relative adoption - where a person defined in the Adoption of Children Act 1964 as a relative (grandparent, brother, sister, uncle or aunt of the child, by birth or marriage) applies to adopt the child in their care.
Adoption alters the child's birth surname and birth certificate and permanently changes the child's identity. The adoptive parent is deemed to be the parent of the child and the legal rights of the adopted child are the same as if they had been born to the adoptive parent. For example, if a child is adopted by a step-father they can no longer inherit from the birth father unless specifically named in the will.
There have been no instances in recent years in which approval has been given for an Adoption Order to be made in favour of a child's relative, other than a step-parent. Applications by relatives to adopt a related child have not been approved because a Parenting Order made by the Children's Court has been considered better able to meet the child's needs over an Adoption Order.
If you are considering adopting a relative or step-child, you should also read:
Further information
For further information about the adoption process for a relative or step-child in Queensland, refer to the Relative and Step-Parent Adoption Program or contact our Adoption Services Queensland Unit.
- Last updated
- 19 October 2007