Section 46: Applications for adoption
Section 46 provides that an application for an adoption order may be made by a couple or one person but only if it is made under section 47 or 48 and one of the following conditions is satisfied. The first condition is that at least one of the couple or the applicant is domiciled in a part of the United Kingdom, any of the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man (subsection (2)). The second condition is that both of the couple have, or the applicant has, been habitually resident in a part of the United Kingdom, any of the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for at least one year ending with the date of the application (subsection (3)). The term “couple” is defined in section 159(3). An application for an adoption order may only be made if the person to be adopted has not reached age 18 by the date of the application (subsection (4)). Subsection (5) provides that 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.
