Can my step dad "adopt" me?

busiscoming2

My DD wanted to be adopted by her stepfather when she got to 17, but as her bio father wouldn't have allowed it, even thought she hadn't had any proper contact for about 9 years. She did get his permission to change her surname by deed poll.

I think you should be able to adopt at any age.

busiscoming2

Just found this:

http://www.adoptionuk.org/information/103075/faqs/#b13



Can I adopt an adult?
No one over the age of 18 can be adopted. They could change their name by deed poll if the wished, but no parent-child relationship would be recognizable in law.

jackyann

No, you can't be "adopted". You can use any name you like - as you do. You can formally register to use another name, but if you are taking your husband's name, it's a bit redundant.
Your husband will be regarded as your next-of-kin legally and he should be aware of your wishes with regard to your relationship with your step-dad.
Should your husband be incapacitated, your mother will be your legal next-of-kin and she would undoubtedly discuss anything that arose with your step-dad.
I could see that before your marriage you might have wanted to state in your will that your regarded him as your next-of-kin along with your mother, but it does seem a bit redundant now from your point-of-view.
He may, however, want to recognise you in his will.

Mojisola

At the risk of sounding mercenary, as a step-child you will not inherit from your step-father unless he writes a will and names you as a beneficiary. Under the intestacy rules, only spouses, civil partners and blood relations can inherit.

smith121

If you have any problem in education or in office because he is your step dad, then you can take suggestion from relationship lawyers. If you both's life is going smoothly then no need to involve in extra paper work.

katerinasol

My stepdad never legally adopted me.

The only thing I would say to watch out for is who to put on your marriage certificate if you're getting married in a church (not sure if registry offices would get funny about this either). The church I got married in really wanted to put my biological father's name on the 'father' bit but I never had any contact with him and he was deceased by that point anyway so I insisted they put down my stepdad's name. If you want to do this then I would say be quite firm with them.

Jalapee

katerinasol wrote: »

My stepdad never legally adopted me.

The only thing I would say to watch out for is who to put on your marriage certificate if you're getting married in a church (not sure if registry offices would get funny about this either). The church I got married in really wanted to put my biological father's name on the 'father' bit but I never had any contact with him and he was deceased by that point anyway so I insisted they put down my stepdad's name. If you want to do this then I would say be quite firm with them.

Perfect! This was one of the main reasons! My biological father will be at the wedding and is aware he is giving me away,

We are getting married in a registry office so will give them a call soon and see what they say!

Thanks for all you replies

katerinasol

Jalapee wrote: »

Perfect! This was one of the main reasons! My biological father will be at the wedding and is aware he is giving me away,

We are getting married in a registry office so will give them a call soon and see what they say!

Thanks for all you replies

On my certificate it says [Mr Stepfather Sol] and they put 'stepfather' in brackets underneath it. I was going to suggest lying and saying your stepdad is your dad so that they don't argue over your marriage certificate but on second thoughts if you need this for ID (on the off chance someone wants to compare your birth and marriage certificates for example) it's probably better not to lie. But I'm sure if you nag them they will put your stepfather down. Good luck and congrats on getting married x

FunnySaving

Don't lie on any official documentation - it's easily found out, will cause a whole heap of hassle and won't really make any difference anyway!

Mojisola

FunnySaving wrote: »

Don't lie on any official documentation - it's easily found out, will cause a whole heap of hassle and won't really make any difference anyway!

And will totally confuse your descendants when they start doing their family tree!