Growing your family through adoption is a bold step towards giving another child a loving, comfortable home. The legal age for being able to adopt in South Africa is 18, and it is a process conducted with caution, care and safety. Once the adoption is finalised, and acknowledged, you are regarded as the biological parent/s of the child.
Who can adopt a child?
Any persons over the age of 18 years can adopt a child. The rights of adoption cannot be prevented by the applicant’s financial status. Whether you are single, a widower, married or in a permanent family unit, you can apply. Being denied adoption based on your sexual orientation, race, religion and gender is unconstitutional, and these discriminatory practices are illegal.
Adoption procedure
Points to remember
This article is a general information sheet and should not be used or relied on as legal or other professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Always contact your legal adviser for specific and detailed advice. Errors and omissions excepted (E&OE)
References:
Legalwise.co.za. (2017). Adoption. [online] Available at: https://www.legalwise.co.za/help-yourself/quicklaw-guides/adoption [Accessed 15 Jun. 2017].
The Children's Act Explained. (2017). [ebook] p.3. Available at: http://www.justice.gov.za/vg/children/dsd-Children_Act_ExplainedBooklet1_June2009.pdf [Accessed 12 Jun. 2017].