Where Are Second-Parent and Joint Adoption for Same-Sex Couples Available?
Second-parent, stepparent or joint adoption refer to the legal procedure that allows both partners in a same-sex relationship to establish a legal relationship with their children.
Eight states -- California, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont -- and the District of Columbia allow same-sex couples to use the state’s adoption laws for second-parent adoptions.
Same-sex parents also have been granted second-parent adoptions in certain counties in 18 other states: Alabama, Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas and Washington.
In certain other states, there is anecdotal evidence of these adoptions being granted, although there is no case law.
Four states -- Colorado, Ohio, Nebraska and Wisconsin -- have court rulings that prohibit same-sex couples from using the state adoption laws for second-parent adoptions.
Browse our state law listings for adoption laws affecting gay and lesbian parents.