PETITIONClosedPetition · petition.parliament.uk

Legalise adult adoption

We think it is time for adult adoption to be legalised in the UK. We believe amending this law would offer individuals the opportunity, as a legal adult, to sever connections with absent, abusive, or otherwise unsuitable parents.

Last fetched 03 May 2026 · petition.parliament.uk

Signatures

579

signatures

Government response threshold (10,000) · 579/10,000

Debate threshold (100,000) · 579/100,000

Background

Places legalising adult adoption include:
- Some US States
- Some Provinces in Canada
- Japan
- Germany
 
The age for adoption ends when the individual reaches 18. Due to this being the cut off age, this doesn't give the individual the independence of being classed as an adult and processing their own adoption application. Applications made prior to the age of 18 are subject to the approval of the named parents, except in specific circumstance.
 
We believe this law is extremely detrimental to the mental health of individuals who have experienced abuse at the hand of their parent(s).