Adoption Act 1976
1976 c. 36An Act to consolidate the enactments having effect in England and Wales in relation to adoption.
Part I The Adoption Service¶
The Adoption Service¶
F331 Establishment of Adoption Service.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F332 Local authorities’ social services.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Adoption societies¶
F333 Approval of adoption societies.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F334 Withdrawal of approval.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F335 Procedure on refusal to approve, or withdrawal of approval from, adoption societies.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Welfare of children¶
F336 Duty to promote welfare of child.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F337 Religious upbringing of adopted child.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Supplemental¶
F338 Inactive or defunct adoption societies.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F339 Regulation of adoption agencies.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F339A Independent review of determinations¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F1F3310 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ¶
F3311 Restriction on arranging adoptions and placing of children.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Part II Adoption Orders¶
The making of adoption orders¶
F3312 Adoption orders.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3313 Child to live with adopters before order made.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3314 Adoption by married couple.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3315 Adoption by one person.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3316 Parental agreement.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F33 17 Convention adoption orders.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Freeing for adoption¶
C418 Freeing child for adoption.¶
19 Progress reports to former parent.¶
20 Revocation of s. 18 order.¶
21 Variation of section 18 order so as to substitute one adoption agency for another.¶
Supplemental¶
F3322 Notification to local authority of adoption application.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3323 Reports where child placed by agency.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3324 Restrictions on making adoption orders.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3325 Interim orders.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F11F3326 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .¶
Part III Care and Protection of Children Awaiting Adoption¶
Restrictions on removal of children¶
F3327 Restrictions on removal where adoption agreed or application made under s. 18.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3328 Restrictions on removal where applicant has provided home for 5 years.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3329 Return of child taken away in breach of s. 27 or 28.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3330 Return of children placed for adoption by adoption agencies.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3331 Application of s. 30 where child not placed for adoption.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Protected children¶
F3332 Meaning of “protected child”.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3333 Duty of local authorities to secure well-being of protected children.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F36F3334 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .¶
F3335 Notices and information to be given to local authorities.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3336 Offences relating to protected children.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3337 Miscellaneous provisions relating to protected children.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C5C6 Part IV Status of Adopted Children¶
38 Meaning of “adoption” in Part IV.¶
39 Status conferred by adoption.¶
40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F12¶
41 Adoptive relatives.¶
A relationship existing by virtue of section 39 may be referred to as an adoptive relationship, and—42 Rules of construction for instruments concerning property.¶
- 1. Children of A “living at my death or born afterwards”.
- 2. Children of A “living at my death or born afterwards before any one of such children for the time being in existence attains a vested interest and who attain the age of 21 years”.
- 3. As in example 1 or 2, but referring to grandchildren of A instead of children of A.
- 4. A for life “until he has a child”, and then to his child or children.
43 Dispositions depending on date of birth.¶
44 Property devolving with peerages etc.¶
45 Protection of trustees and personal representatives.¶
46 Meaning of “disposition”.¶
- “disposition” includes the conferring of a power of appointment and any other disposition of an interest in or right over property;
- “power of appointment” includes any discretionary power to transfer a beneficial interest in property without the furnishing of valuable consideration.
C7C847 Miscellaneous enactments.¶
48 Pensions.¶
Section 39(2) does not affect entitlement to a pension which is payable to or for the benefit of a child and is in payment at the time of his adoption.49 Insurance.¶
Where a child is adopted whose natural parent has effected an insurance with a friendly society or a collecting society or an industrial company for the payment on the death of the child of money for funeral expenses, the rights and liabilities under the policy shall by virtue of the adoption be transferred to the adoptive parents who shall for the purposes of the enactments relating to such societies and companies be treated as the person who took out the policy.Part V Registration and Revocation of Adoption Orders andConvention Adoptions¶
F3450 Adopted Children Register.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3451 Disclosure of birth records of adopted children.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3451A Adoption Contact Register.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3452 Revocation of adoptions on legitimation.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3453 Annulment etc. of overseas adoptions.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3454 Provisions supplementary to ss. 52(3) and 53.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Part VI Miscellaneous and Supplemental¶
F3455 Adoption of children abroad. ¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3456 Restriction on removal of children for adoption outside Great Britain. ¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3456A Restriction on bringing children into the United Kingdom¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3457 Prohibition on certain payments.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3457A Permitted allowances.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3458 Restriction on advertisements.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3458A Information concerning adoption.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3459 Effect of determination and orders made in Scotland and overseas in adoption proceedings.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3460 Evidence of adoption in Scotland and Northern Ireland.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3461 Evidence of agreement and consent.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3462 Courts.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3463 Appeals etc.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3464 Proceedings to be in private.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3465 Duties of officers of the Service¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F19F3465A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .¶
F3466 Rules of procedure.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3467 Orders, rules and regulations.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3468 Offences by bodies corporate.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3469 Services of notices etc.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F30F3470 Nationality.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3471 Internal law of a country.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3472 Interpretation.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3473 Transitional provisions, amendments and repeals.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3474 Short title, commencement and extent.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SCHEDULES
F35SCHEDULE 1 ¶
Registration of Adoptions
SCHEDULE 2 ¶
Transitional Provisions and Savings
Rights relating to property¶
F35SCHEDULE 3 ¶
Consequential Amendments
F21
F23
F35SCHEDULE 4 ¶
Repeals
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Footnotes
- C1Power to amend Act conferred (5.7.1994) by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 (c. 37, SIF 83:1), ss. 30(9)(10), 39(3), 43(2); S.I. 1994/1776, art. 2(1)
- C2By Criminal Justice Act 1991 (c. 53, SIF 39:1), s. 101(1), Sch. 12 para. 23; S.I. 1991/2208, art. 2(1), Sch.1 it is provided (14.10.1991) that in relation to any time before the commencement of s. 70 of that 1991 Act (which came into force on 1.10.1992 by S.I. 1992/333, art. 2(2), Sch. 2) references in any enactment amended by that 1991 act, to youth courts shall be construed as references to juvenile courts.
- C3Act applied (with modifications) (1.11.1994) by S.I. 1994/2767, reg. 2Act: modified (prosp.) by 1999 c. 18, ss. 17, 18(3)
- F1S. 10 repealed by Health and Social Services and Social Security Adjudications Act 1983 (c. 41, SIF 113:3), ss. 9, 30, Sch. 2 para. 30, Sch. 10 Pt. I
- C4S. 18 amended (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), ss. 12(3)(a), 33(6)(b)(i), 108 (with Sch. 14 para 1(1)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)
- F2S. 18(2A) inserted (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), ss. 88, 108, Sch. 10 para.6(1) (with Sch. 14 para. 1(1)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)
- F3Words in s. 18(5) substituted (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), ss. 88, 108, Sch. 10 para.6(2) (with Sch. 14 para. 1(1)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)
- F4Words in s. 18(5) substituted (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), ss. 88, 108, Sch. 10 para. 6(2); (with Sch. 14 para. 1(1)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)
- F5Words substituted by Health and Social Services and Social Security Adjudications Act 1983 (c. 41, SIF 113:3), s. 9, Sch. 2 para. 31
- F6S. 18(7)(8) substituted (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), ss. 88, 108, Sch. 10 para.6(3) (with Sch. 14 para. 1(1)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)
- F7Words in s. 19(2) substituted (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), ss. 88, 108, Sch. 10 para.7 (with Sch. 14 para. 1(1)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)
- F8Words in s. 20(1)(2) substituted (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), ss. 88, 108, Sch. 10 para.8(1) (with Sch. 14 para. 1(1)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)
- F9S. 20(3)(3A) substituted (14.10.1991) for s. 20(3) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), ss. 88, 108, Sch. 10 para.8(2) (with Sch. 14 para. 1(1)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)
- F10S. 21 substituted (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 88, Sch. 10 para.9 (with Sch. 14 para. 1(1)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)
- F11S. 26 repealed (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108, Sch.15 (with Sch. 14 paras. 1(1), 27(4)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)
- M11975 c. 72(49:3).
- M21958 c. 5 (7 & 8 Eliz. 2).(49:11).
- M31950 c. 26.
- M41975 c. 72(49:3).
- F12S. 40 repealed by British Nationality Act 1981 (c. 61, SIF 87), s. 52(8), Sch. 9
- M51969 c. 46(49:7).
- F13S. 46(5) repealed (1.1.1997) by 1996 c. 47, s. 25(2), Sch. 4 (with ss. 24(2), 25(4)); S.I. 1996/2974, art. 2
- F14Words repealed by British Nationality Act 1981 (c. 61, SIF 87), s. 52(8), Sch. 9
- F15Words substituted by British Nationality Act 1981 (c. 61, SIF 87), s. 52(6), Sch. 7
- M61971 c. 77(62).
- F16Words inserted by S.I. 1986/948, art. 8, Sch.
- F17S. 47(3) repealed by Social Security Act 1986 (c. 50, SIF 113:1), s. 86, Sch. 11
- F18S. 47(4)(5) repealed by Social Security Act 1988 (c. 7, SIF 113:1), ss. 16, 19(3), Sch. 5
- C5Part IV (ss. 38-49): definition applied (5.4.1993) by Child Support Act 1991 (c. 48, SIF 20), s. 26(3), (with s. 9(2)); S.I. 1992/2644, art.2.
- F19S. 65A repealed (1.4.2001) by 2000 c. 43, s. 74, 75, Sch. 7 Pt. II para. 53, Sch. 8; S.I. 2001/919, art. 2(f)(ii)(g) Table
- M71975 c. 72 (49:9, 10)
- F20Sch. 3 para. 8 repealed (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108, Sch.15 (with Sch. 14 paras. 1(1), 27(4)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)
- F21Sch. 3 para. 8 repealed (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108, Sch. 15 (with Sch. 14 paras. 1(1), 27(4)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)
- F22Sch. 3 para. 11 repealed (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108, Sch.15 (with Sch. 14 paras. 1(1), 27(4)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)
- F23Sch. 3 para. 11 repealed (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108, Sch. 15 (with Sch. 14 paras. 1(1), 27(4)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)
- F24Sch. 3 para. 19 repealed (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108, Sch.15 (with Sch. 14 paras. 1(1), 27(4)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)
- F25Sch. 3 para. 21 repealed (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108, Sch. 15 (with Sch. 14 paras. 1(1), 27(4)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)
- F26Sch. 3 para. 22 repealed (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108, Sch.15 (with Sch. 14 paras. 1(1), 27(4)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)
- F27S. 38(1)(cc) inserted (1.6.2003) by Adoption (Intercountry Aspects) Act 1999 (c. 18), ss. 4(1), 18(3) (with s. 17); S.I. 2003/189, art. 2(2)(c)
- F28S. 39(3A)(3B) inserted (1.6.2003) by Adoption (Intercountry Aspects) Act 1999 (c. 18), ss. 4(3), 18(3) (with s. 17); S.I. 2003/189, art. 2(2)(c)
- F29Words in s. 39(2) substituted (1.6.2003) by Adoption (Intercountry Aspects) Act 1999 (c. 18), ss. 4(2), 18(3) (with s. 17); S.I. 2003/189, art. 2(2)(c)
- F30S. 70 repealed (1.6.2003) by Adoption (Intercountry Aspects) Act 1999 (c. 18), s. 18(3), Sch. 2 para. 3(7), 3 (with s. 17); S.I. 2003/189, art. 2(2)(h)(i)
- F31Words in s. 47(1) substituted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (Overseas Relationships and Consequential, etc. Amendments) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3129), art. 1, Sch. 4 para. 3
- M81986 c. 55
- C6Pt. IV extended (30.12.2005) by Adoption and Children Act 2002 (c. 38), ss. 66(3), 148(1) (with Sch. 4 paras. 1, 6-8); S.I. 2005/2213, art. 2(d)
- F32Ss. 1-37 repealed (30.12.2005) by Adoption and Children Act 2002 (c. 38), s. 148(1), Sch. 5 (with Sch. 4 paras. 2, 6-8); S.I. 2005/2897, art. 2(b) (ss. 19-21 continued (30.12.2005) by Adoption and Children Act 2002 (c. 38), s. 148(1), Sch. 4 para. 7(1)(a) (with Sch. 4 paras. 6-8); S.I. 2005/2897, art. 2(a) (with arts. 3-16))
- F33Ss. 1-37 repealed (30.12.2005) by Adoption and Children Act 2002 (c. 38), s. 148(1), Sch. 5 (with Sch. 4 paras. 2, 6-8); S.I. 2005/2897, art. 2(b)
- F34Ss. 50-74 repealed (30.12.2005) by Adoption and Children Act 2002 (c. 38), s. 148(1), Sch. 5 (with Sch. 4 paras. 2, 6-8); S.I. 2005/2897, art. 2(b)
- F35Schs. 1, 3, 4 repealed (30.12.2005) by Adoption and Children Act 2002 (c. 38), s. 148(1), Sch. 5 (with Sch. 4 paras. 2, 6-8); S.I. 2005/2897, art. 2(b)
- F36S. 34 repealed (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108, Sch.15 (with Sch. 14 paras. 1(1), 27(4)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)
- F37S. 20(3)(c)(iia) inserted (30.12.2005) by virtue of Adoption and Children Act 2002 (c. 38), s. 148(1), Sch. 4 para. 7(2) (with Sch. 4 paras. 6-8); S.I. 2005/2897, art. 2(a) (with arts. 3-16)
- F38Words in s. 38(2) inserted (30.12.2005) by Adoption and Children Act 2002 (c. 38), s. 148(1), Sch. 3 para. 19 (with Sch. 4 paras. 6-8); S.I. 2005/2213, art. 2(o)
- C7S. 47 restricted by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 64(6)(a) (as inserted (8.7.2008) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), s. 153(2)(e), Sch. 15 para. 5(5))
- C8S. 47 restricted by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 65(6)(a) (as inserted (8.7.2008) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), s. 153(2)(e), Sch. 15 para. 6(5))
- F39Words in s. 47(1) substituted (8.7.2008) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), s. 153(2)(e), Sch. 15 para. 7
- F40Sch. 2 paras. 1-5 repealed (30.12.2005) by Adoption and Children Act 2002 (c. 38), s. 148(1), Sch. 5 (with Sch. 4 paras. 2, 6-8); S.I. 2005/2897, art. 2(b)
- F41Sch. 2 paras. 7, 8 repealed (30.12.2005) by Adoption and Children Act 2002 (c. 38), s. 148(1), Sch. 5 (with Sch. 4 paras. 2, 6-8); S.I. 2005/2897, art. 2(b)