State Laws and Legislation

Maine Adoption Law

Permits single LGBT individuals to petition to adopt? Yes.
Maine law permits an unmarried person or married couple to petition to adopt. ME. REV. STAT. ANN. tit. 18-A § 9-301.

Permits a same-sex couple to jointly petition to adopt? Yes.
In 2007, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruled that the probate courts may consider joint petitions by unmarried individuals.  Adoption of M.A., 930 A.2d 1088 (2007) (permitting lesbian couple to proceed with adoption).

Permits a same-sex partner to petition to adopt partner’s child or child of the relationship? No explicit prohibition.
There is no explicit prohibition, but no state court has heard the issue of whether a same-sex partner can petition to adopt a partner’s child or child of the relationship.

Updated: Wed, December 09, 2009 - 1:00:42