New Hampshire Adoption Law
Permits single GLBT individuals to petition to adopt? Yes.
New Hampshire law permits an unmarried adult or a husband and wife to petition to adopt. N.H. REV. STAT. ANN. § 170-B:4.
Permits a same-sex couple to jointly petition to adopt? In some jurisdictions.
In 1987, the New Hampshire Supreme Court ruled that two unmarried adults may not jointly petition to adopt a child. In re Jason C., 533 A.2d 32 (N.H. 1987). However, there are several judges in the state who will apparently permit a same-sex couple to petition to adopt in some circumstances.
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 or can not petition to adopt a partner’s child or child of the relationship.
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Last Updated: 1/22/2008