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Adoption by Family Type: Second-Parent Adoption
Second-parent adoption is the adoption of a child by a second parent in the home who is not married to the legal parent of the child. A second-parent adoption allows a second parent to adopt a child without the "first parent" losing any parental rights. Adoptive parents usually have the same rights as biological parents in custody and visitation matters in most States that allow for this type of adoption. Second-parent adoption is not allowed in all States. In this section you will find information about second-parent adoptions that can be relevant to many different types of families, including gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) families. (Stepparent adoption is addressed elsewhere.)
Coalition for Adoption Rights Equality (CARE)
Provides advocacy information for Michigan families and works to secure the legal recognition of parent-child relationships in all families, regardless of the parents' marital status or sexual orientation.
Information Packet: Gay and Lesbian Second Parent Adoptions (PDF - 163 KB)
National Resource Center for Foster Care & Permanency Planning (2004)
Explores the issue of second-parent adoption in the case of gay and lesbian couples.
Second-Parent Adoption
Human Rights Campaign
Provides information on State laws allowing second-parent adoption.
Second-Parent Adoption in the U.S. (PDF - 634 KB)
The Task Force
Created a map of the United States indicating the States that authorize second-parent adoption.
What to Do if Second-Parent Adoption Is Unavailable
Human Rights Campaign
Provides information on co-parenting and custody agreements in States or cases where second-parent adoption is not a viable option.