147.Section 51 provides that an application may be made by one person who is 21 and is not married. In certain circumstances, an adoption application may be made by one person who is married. A partner of a natural parent (which includes a person married to the parent) may adopt the child of that natural parent (subsection (2)). This means that the parent is no longer required to make a joint application to adopt his own child with his partner, as is presently the case in respect of step-parent adoptions. The term “partner” is defined in section 144.