Adoption and Children Act (Northern Ireland) 2022

Applications for adoption

46.—(1) An application for an adoption order may be made by—

(a) a couple; or

(b) one person,

but only if it is made under section 47 or 48 and one of the following conditions is met.

(2) The first condition is that—

(a) at least one of the couple (in the case of an application under section 47); or

(b) the applicant (in the case of an application under section 48),

is domiciled in a part of the United Kingdom, or in any of the Channel Islands or in the Isle of Man.

(3) The second condition is that—

(a) both of the couple (in the case of an application under section 47) have; or

(b) the applicant (in the case of an application under section 48) has,

been habitually resident in a part of the United Kingdom, or in any of the Channel Islands or in the Isle of Man for a period of not less than one year ending with the date of the application.

(4) An application for an adoption order may only be made if the person to be adopted has not attained the age of 18 years on the date of the application.

(5) References in this Act to a child, in connection with any proceedings (whether or not concluded) for adoption, (such as “child to be adopted” or “adopted child”) include a person who has attained the age of 18 years before the proceedings are concluded.