Who May Adopt, Be Adopted, or Place a Child for Adoption - Kentucky

Who May Adopt

Citation: Rev. Stat. § 199.470

Any person age 18 or older who is a resident of the State or has resided there for at least 12 months may adopt. A husband and wife must petition jointly unless the petitioner is married to a biological parent of the child to be adopted. The requirement may be waived if the court finds the requirement of a joint petition would serve to deny the child a suitable home.

Who May Be Adopted

Citation: Rev. Stat. § 199.470

Any child may be adopted.

Who May Place a Child for Adoption

Citation: Rev. Stat. §§ 199.470; 199.473

The following requirements apply to the placement of a child:

• It must be made by a child-placing institution or agency or the Cabinet of Health and Family Services.
• It must have the written approval of the secretary of the cabinet.

No approval shall be necessary in the case of the following:

• Adoption by a blood relative, including a relative of half-blood, first cousin, aunt, uncle, nephew, niece, and a person of a preceding generation as denoted by prefixes of grand, great, or great-great; stepparent; stepsibling; or fictive kin
• Placement by an agency from outside the State with the written consent of the secretary
• An adoption finalized in another country
• A child who has been approved under chapter 615, the Interstate Compact on Placement of Children