Campaign: Coming Out Guides
Find community-specific resource guides to coming out and living openly.
Take ActionIndiana Adoption Law
Permits single LGBT individuals to petition to adopt? Yes.
Indiana law permits any individual resident of the state or married couple to petition to adopt. (IND. CODE ANN. 31-19-2-2). There is also a provision that allows a non-resident to petition to adopt a "hard-to-place child." (IND. CODE ANN. 31-19-2-3)
Permits a same-sex couple to jointly petition to adopt? Yes.
In 2006, the state Court of Appeals ruled that an unmarried couple, same- or opposite-sex, may file a joint petition to adopt a child. The Indiana Supreme Court refused to hear the case, leaving the Court of Appeals ruling in place.
Permits a same-sex partner to petition to adopt partner’s child or child of the relationship? In some jurisdictions.
In some jurisdictions in Indiana a person may be able to petition to adopt the child or children that his or her same-sex partner already adopted. In 2003, the Court of Appeals of Indiana held that a same-sex partner could petition to adopt the other partner’s adopted child. . . In re Adoption of M.M.G.C., 785 N.E.2d 267 (Ind. Ct. App. 2003). In 2004, the Court of Appeals of Indiana held that a same-sex partner could petition to adopt the other partner’s biological child . . . In re Adoption of K.S.P., 804 N.E.2d 1253 (Ind. Ct. App. 2004.)
Updated: Wed, December 09, 2009 - 12:00:15
