State Laws and Legislation

D.C. Adoption Law

Permits single LGBT individuals to petition to adopt? Yes.
The District of Columbia law permits any person to petition to adopt. (D.C. CODE § 16-302)

Permits a same-sex couple to jointly petition to adopt? Yes.
In 1995, the District’s Court of Appeals found that joint adoption petitions by unmarried couples, both opposite- and same-sex, should be granted or rejected on a case-by-case basis, based on the best interest of the child. (In re M.M.D., 662 A.2d 837 (D.C. 1995))

Permits a same-sex co-parent to petition to adopt partner’s child or child of the relationship? Yes.
In the same 1995 case, the appellate court ruled that a same-sex co-parent can petition to adopt the child of his or her partner or child of the relationship. (In re M.M.D., 662 A.2d 837 (D.C. 1995))

Updated: Tue, December 08, 2009 - 12:00:10