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

Who May Adopt

Citation: Ch. Code Art. 1198, 1221; 1243

The following persons may adopt:

• A single person who is age 18 or older
• A married couple jointly

A stepparent, step-grandparent, great-grandparent, grandparent, or collaterals within the twelfth degree may petition to adopt a child if all the following conditions are met:

• The petitioner is related to the child by blood, adoption, or affinity through the mother of the child or through a father who is filiated to the child in accordance with the Civil Code.
• The petitioner is a single person older than age 18 or a married person whose spouse is a joint petitioner.
• The petitioner has had legal or physical custody of the child for at least 6 months prior to filing the petition for adoption.

Who May Be Adopted

Citation: Ch. Code Art. 1198, 1221

Any child may be adopted.

Who May Place a Child for Adoption

Citation: Ch. Code Art. 1169, 1170

An adoptive placement may be made by either of the following:

• Private placement
• A child-placing agency