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(1)Subject to sections 37(1) and 53(1), an adoption order may be made on the application of a married couple where each has attained the age of 21 but an adoption order shall not otherwise be made on the application of more than one person.
(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 section 24 is complied with.
(3)Where the application is made to a court in England or Wales and the married couple consist of a parent and step-parent of the child, the court shall dismiss the application if it considers the matter would be better dealt with under section 42 (orders for custody etc.) of the [1973 c. 18.] Matrimonial Causes Act 1973.
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