Step parent adoption but birth father absent

[rainsbows]

I would like my dh to adopt my daughter. Importantly, she wants him to adopt her.

Background: she's 8, last saw birth father 6 years ago, no communication at all since (no bday cards etc), no financial maintenance for 4 years, never met birth parental grandparents etc.

Step father: been "daddy" since she was 18m, lived together for 6 years.

Problem is... I have no idea where ex lives, so how can he agree to it if he's uncontactable??

Anyone?

There are agents who will attempt to trace him for you.

Is the father on the birth certificate? If he isn't, you can change your daughter's name and give your husband parental responsibility without needing to contact him.

Step parent adoption is pretty tough to get.

Since you are married you could ask the court to grant your husband PR. Much less intrusive and recognises your husband's role without overriding that of your ex.

My DH adopted my DS. They will try everything to contact your ex. If they're not successful the adoption can go ahead, with a huge amount of social services input, which is the norm.

My ex didnt reply to emails, facebook messages etc. And thats why we were sucessful.

Good luck.

Ex already gave written consent for name change so dd has dh's surname on passport and has done for years, ie, last time we heard from him.

That's a world away from your child ceasing to be her father's daughter.

I know but he's been absent six years so not like he's been fathering her.

That isn't the issue though.

Having your husband adopt your daughter imposes a profound change on her legal status which may well not be demonstrably in her interest. You are likely to fail.

Giving your husband PR as I suggest is far more achievable.

Thank you.