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Original poster

Adult Adoption UK

6 replies

ChangeUsername123 · 05/12/2023 16:02

Hi,

I know it’s not possible to be adopted as an adult in the UK but I wonder if there is any alternative.

I have an amazing ‘step’ dad (I call him Dad) and I always wanted him to adopt me when I was younger but my biological father wouldn’t allow it. I’ve now been estranged from the biological father for about 20 years and because of some things that have happened recently I thought I’d look into the ‘adoption’ thing again as it would be a wonderful thing. As I say, I know there’s no legal adoption of an adult but I kind of hoped there might be something else we could do…. Like how there’s marriage and civil partnerships, I hoped there might be a similar thing for adoption!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

OP posts:
JennyMule · 05/12/2023 22:50

There is no equivalent of adoption for adults, as you say. If you do not have a spouse or partner civil partnership is an option (as does not infer a sexual relationship and confers benefits in terms of inheritance tax), but I suspect that isn't what you are seeking?

strawberryblue · 05/12/2023 22:51

Could you change your surname to his and then make a certificate up of r your own? As it feels like maybe this is more sentimental than a piece of paper? ,,

Original poster
ChangeUsername123 · 05/12/2023 23:26

Thank you for the replies. I am already married so no go on the suggestions sadly but they’re appreciated. It is more for the sentiment than the practicalities. I wish I’d known before I became an adult that it wasn’t possible afterwards but I daresay my biological father would have blocked it regardless, even if I initiated it myself.

OP posts:
strawberryblue · 05/12/2023 23:28

What about less of an adoption more of an adoption on your part if you call him by his name or step dad to just refer to him as "dad" x

easilydistracted1 · 05/12/2023 23:30

Look up a local celebrant. They can do ceremonies that are non legally binding and you can say what you like. Some registry offices offer a whole range of ceremonies. Would you consider double barrelling your surname to include his or adding a middle name linked to him? Then you could have a naming ceremony. It's pretty simple to change your name afterwards by deed poll officially

Britneymungure · 20/05/2025 10:12

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